Do you think that I am just too big?

[Roy]

Hi friends, I am new to this wonderful site, but I have certainly enjoyed reading all the wonderful post, devoted to one of the finest little aircraft ever built! I owned a little 75 horse BC12D about 35 years ago, that I kept at the old Evergreen airport in Vancouver, Washington. I had more fun with that little plane than any other plane, I have ever owned. My problem is the fact that I am 77 inches tall and now weigh 240 pounds. I wonder has anyone ever been able to move the seats back in order to accommodate a pilot that's 6 ft 5 inches? I met a fellow @ the evergreen airshow once that had relocated his seat about 4 inches aft. I do not know if he has any paperwork on it though. If any one has any advice or ideas, please let me know.

[mikeg]

Re: Do you think that I am just too big?

I'm 6'4" and weighed 213 pounds (before Weight Watchers) and flew my '41 DeLuxe for 40+ years with the standard seat. You do know that you can unwind the seat sling for a little more room. You can re-adjust the rudder cables to move the pedals forward for a little more leg room, just make sure you still hit the rudder stops. In fact my Dad 6'1", 195 pounds and I used to fly it together by overlapping shoulders. Great airplane-plenty of room
Mike
NC29804
NC27451

[N96337]

Re: Do you think that I am just too big?

The guys that owned my Tcraft before me were a father and son, and the Dad weighed just a touch under 300#, the son about 200#. Neither were that tall, but I remember the Dad saying he could hardly get the plane to stall, because he couldn't get the yoke back far enough. They'd BOTH crawl in.. Dad first, with 3 full tanks of fuel and baggage enough for a weekend, and away they'd go... with a 46" pitch prop. That ol' 85 was working her tail off...airport elevation was 2935 and it was usually hot in the afternoon. It wasn't quick to climb, but I saw them in the backcountry strips around here almost every weekend!
John

[cvavon]

Re: Do you think that I am just too big?

Roy i am 6'1" and 286lbs a friend om mine is 5'8" and 280 he is built like a beer keg on legs and we get in my plane and fly with out any problem also wife is 5'8" and 190 then we load the camping gear and we go were we want to with no problem. now i do have a C85 on it

Chuck

[Roy]

Re: Do you think that I am just too big?

Thanks for all the good advice! It never occurred to me that I could extend the sling seat, That would help a lot. I cant wait to get out to the hangar and try some of these remedies. I sure love the taylorcrafts.