Today's Message Index:
----------------------
1. 06:37 PM - Help me I'm hooked! (Jim Langley)
2. 06:56 PM - Re: Help me I'm hooked! (N1BZRich@AOL.COM)
3. 07:06 PM - Re: Help me I'm hooked! (John D. Williams)
4. 07:20 PM - Re: Help me I'm hooked! (Jim Langley)
5. 07:33 PM - Re: Help me I'm hooked! (pequeajim)
6. 07:43 PM - Re: Re: Help me I'm hooked! (John D. Williams)
7. 08:33 PM - Re: Re: Help me I'm hooked! (Charles Dewey)
8. 08:45 PM - Re: Help me I'm hooked! (pequeajim)
Message 1
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| Subject: | Help me I'm hooked! |
I want to make a plea to all of you who are Lightning owners to possibly
help me. I have flown in the Green Landings Lightning, and just came back
from a trip to Shelbyville where my brother in law and I sat in a Lightning
that was on the floor. This was (I believe one of the new Lightnings with
the narrow console and more room.
To say that I was disappointed would be a minor statement; I was crushed!
I just don't fit. To start with, I am a pretty big fellow, 6'-2" and
265lmb, but the main thing was that I had to tilt my head sideways when I
closed the canopy, as did my brother in law, (he's 6'-3" and skinny).
We were bumping shoulders, but I kind of expected that. I did not expect
the lack of headroom though. I really love the aircraft, engine, and all
the things about the Lightning except the room!
I can't bring myself to give up on this little gem and am wondering if there
are some things that could be done (besides cutting off my legs), that would
create more room in the aircraft.
I think if Arion designed a more spacious canopy, this could create a few
more inches of headroom, but I understand that you don't just snap your
fingers and this happens. My hips and waste felt fine in the aircraft, it
was my shoulders and the headroom.
I will be at Sun and Fun looking at airplanes and will hopefully see some of
you there. Maybe we can some up with some ideas. I plan on getting in the
demo again to see how it feels, (one last time.)
Jim!
Message 2
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| Subject: | Re: Help me I'm hooked! |
Jim,
I can't tell from your post, but was this a finished aircraft? I guess
I didn't understand what you meant by "on the floor". Anyway, my question,
if it was a finished Lightning, did you have the rudder pedals far enough
forward? The Lightning "in flight" adjustable rudder pedals are great. The
provide for more leg room than any other aircraft I have flown. I am 6'2" and
have no problem, they go way further forward than I need them for my legs. So
if you have long legs, run the rudder pedals forward and slump down in the
seat to get more head room. It this works, you can have the upholstery folks
build your seat cushions for the seating position that works for you.
Buz
************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.
Message 3
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| Subject: | Re: Help me I'm hooked! |
Greetings all:
I too, am hooked on the Lightning performance, looks, cost, etc. I
personally know Buz Rich, have sat in his plane, and I recently sat in a
finished Lightning based in Virginia. Prior to sitting in the
Lightning, I was ready to pull the trigger, put down a deposit, and
schedule some builder's assist time. Unfortunately, the canopy touches
the top of my head even when I am scrunched down in the seat; and that
is WITHOUT a headset on. I believe that the Lightning that I sat in had
the usual amount of foam in the seat - the new and improved LESSER
amount. I am not so sure if the plane that I sat in has the 'narrow'
console between the two seats; but I think that it did. I am not as
tall as Jim Langley, I am 5' 11" and weigh 260. My shoulders are VERY
broad - I hardly fit into a Cessna 172. A few days ago, I tried to fit
into a Velocity SE, but could not close the door without turning my
shoulder inwards. I need a plane with cabin width of at least 46
inches and a canopy that will let me sit up in comfort with a head set on.
Despite the fact that my shoulders were brushing up against my wife's
shoulders, I felt that I could be comfortable in the Lightning seat for
a long distance flight (butt room), but with the canopy touching my
head, there is no way for me to feel comfortable making a purchase
decision unless there is a remedy ( a canopy with more volume at head
level). While this seems like a problem that could easily be remedied;
I am sure that a canopy redesign is far more complex than I can
imagine. Plus, how will a larger canopy affect performance - will a
larger canopy completely destroy the Lightning advantages of fuel
efficient FAST flight?
I am ready to invest the money it would take to purchase a nicely
equipped Lightning; but I fear that I must look elsewhere for a plane
that has enough room for a pilot with my size shoulders. Perhaps the
only answer for me is to find a partner and purchase a share of a used
Cirrus. From experience, the Cirrus cabin is adequate (and yes, I
realize that a Cirrus is a 4 seat plane, the Lightning is not).
I am NOT knocking the Lightning - like Jim Langley, I am simply
expressing my experience and frustration. I like the Lightning and
think it is well engineered and gives plenty of bang for the buck. If
only I could fit inside!! Like Jim Langley, I was crushed when I
experienced the lack of headroom under the canopy.
I'd sure like to know of a good solution within the next 3 weeks. I
want to have a great plane ready to fly out to the West coast at the end
of the summer. If the Lightning community can come up with a great
solution, I will rethink building a Lightning; but if I don't get
started soon, a new Lightning would not be ready by the time I want to
head out west at the end of August.
Thanks for letting me give my 2 cents worth of opinion;
John D. Williams
Williamsburg, VA
757 565-2022
Jim Langley wrote:
>I want to make a plea to all of you who are Lightning owners to possibly help
me. I have flown in the Green Landings Lightning, and just came back from a trip
to Shelbyville where my brother in law and I sat in a Lightning that was on
the floor. This was (I believe one of the new Lightnings with the narrow console
and more room.
>
>
>
>To say that I was disappointed would be a minor statement; I was crushed!
>
>
>
>I just don't fit. To start with, I am a pretty big fellow, 6'-2" and 265lmb,
but the main thing was that I had to tilt my head sideways when I closed the canopy,
as did my brother in law, (he's 6'-3" and skinny).
>
>
>
>We were bumping shoulders, but I kind of expected that. I did not expect the
lack of headroom though. I really love the aircraft, engine, and all the things
about the Lightning except the room!
>
>
>
>I can't bring myself to give up on this little gem and am wondering if there are
some things that could be done (besides cutting off my legs), that would create
more room in the aircraft.
>
>
>
>I think if Arion designed a more spacious canopy, this could create a few more
inches of headroom, but I understand that you don't just snap your fingers and
this happens. My hips and waste felt fine in the aircraft, it was my shoulders
and the headroom.
>
>
>
>I will be at Sun and Fun looking at airplanes and will hopefully see some of you
there. Maybe we can some up with some ideas. I plan on getting in the demo
again to see how it feels, (one last time...)
>
>
>
>Jim!
>
>
>
>
Message 4
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| Subject: | Help me I'm hooked! |
Yes, the Lightning was finished and looked like Joe's plane from the pics.
Pete had mentioned that during the build, I might be able to adjust the
angle of the seat back to allow me to sit back more. I have plenty of leg
room as although I am 6'-2", my legs are only 31". It's my torso that is
bigger than average.
I will most likely try scooting forward in the demo and SNF.
Thanks
Jim!
_____
From: owner-lightning-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-lightning-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of
N1BZRich@AOL.COM
Sent: Saturday, April 07, 2007 9:56 PM
Subject: Re: Lightning-List: Help me I'm hooked!
Jim,
I can't tell from your post, but was this a finished aircraft? I guess
I didn't understand what you meant by "on the floor". Anyway, my question,
if it was a finished Lightning, did you have the rudder pedals far enough
forward? The Lightning "in flight" adjustable rudder pedals are great. The
provide for more leg room than any other aircraft I have flown. I am 6'2"
and have no problem, they go way further forward than I need them for my
legs. So if you have long legs, run the rudder pedals forward and slump
down in the seat to get more head room. It this works, you can have the
upholstery folks build your seat cushions for the seating position that
works for you.
Buz
_____
See what's free at AOL.com <http://www.aol.com?ncid=AOLAOF00020000000503> .
Message 5
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| Subject: | Re: Help me I'm hooked! |
John:
That is exactly how I felt when I sat in the airplane. My shoulders are very big,
so it can be uncomfortable when flying with someone else as big as me. However,
I have been flying in a 172 which is something like 39" in width and after
I take off, I usually don't think about it.
It is the headroom that bugs me the most as my head hit the top; and I did not
have a headset on either. The nice thing about the Lightning community is that
they all want to help each other, so maybe we can all work something out.
The canopy resize would seem to be the easiest way to do this, but creating a new
mold is not cheap. Maybe if a few of use offered to help with that cost, they
would redesign the canopy and offer a "FAT HEAD" option, (grin)...
Actually, if the canopy was molded something like a Glasair, more squared than
rounded, with a minimal increase in height, it would provide more room perhaps
without a sacrifice in speed?
Read this topic online here:
http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=105573#105573
Message 6
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| Subject: | Re: Help me I'm hooked! |
Thanks for the reply.
When PIC in the 172, my wife keeps her seat back at the rear end of the
seat track, so we are not quite side by side. With my left shoulder
pressing up against the door, my head is closer to the centerline of the
airplane than if I were not so broad of a guy. Perhaps that is why I
can land on the centerline of the runway, I'm looking directly over the
nose of the plane.
I'm all for exploring some ideas and sharing in the cost of development
of an oversize canopy.
Regards,
JDW
pequeajim wrote:
>
>John:
>
>That is exactly how I felt when I sat in the airplane. My shoulders are very
big, so it can be uncomfortable when flying with someone else as big as me. However,
I have been flying in a 172 which is something like 39" in width and after
I take off, I usually don't think about it.
>
>It is the headroom that bugs me the most as my head hit the top; and I did not
have a headset on either. The nice thing about the Lightning community is that
they all want to help each other, so maybe we can all work something out.
>
>The canopy resize would seem to be the easiest way to do this, but creating a
new mold is not cheap. Maybe if a few of use offered to help with that cost,
they would redesign the canopy and offer a "FAT HEAD" option, (grin)...
>
>Actually, if the canopy was molded something like a Glasair, more squared than
rounded, with a minimal increase in height, it would provide more room perhaps
without a sacrifice in speed?
>
>
>Read this topic online here:
>
>http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=105573#105573
>
>
>
>
Message 7
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| Subject: | Re: Help me I'm hooked! |
The Nemesis NXT has staggered side-by-side seating,
but is more expensive and a bit of a different beast.
If you are an expert pilot, you may want to take a
look at that plane. Charles!
--- "John D. Williams" <sailmo@erols.com> wrote:
> Williams" <sailmo@erols.com>
>
> Thanks for the reply.
> When PIC in the 172, my wife keeps her seat back at
> the rear end of the
> seat track, so we are not quite side by side. With
> my left shoulder
> pressing up against the door, my head is closer to
> the centerline of the
> airplane than if I were not so broad of a guy.
> Perhaps that is why I
> can land on the centerline of the runway, I'm
> looking directly over the
> nose of the plane.
>
> I'm all for exploring some ideas and sharing in the
> cost of development
> of an oversize canopy.
>
> Regards,
> JDW
>
> pequeajim wrote:
>
> <pequeajim@gmail.com>
> >
> >John:
> >
> >That is exactly how I felt when I sat in the
> airplane. My shoulders are very big, so it can be
> uncomfortable when flying with someone else as big
> as me. However, I have been flying in a 172 which
> is something like 39" in width and after I take off,
> I usually don't think about it.
> >
> >It is the headroom that bugs me the most as my head
> hit the top; and I did not have a headset on either.
> The nice thing about the Lightning community is
> that they all want to help each other, so maybe we
> can all work something out.
> >
> >The canopy resize would seem to be the easiest way
> to do this, but creating a new mold is not cheap.
> Maybe if a few of use offered to help with that
> cost, they would redesign the canopy and offer a
> "FAT HEAD" option, (grin)...
> >
> >Actually, if the canopy was molded something like a
> Glasair, more squared than rounded, with a minimal
> increase in height, it would provide more room
> perhaps without a sacrifice in speed?
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >Read this topic online here:
> >
>
>http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=105573#105573
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> browse
> Subscriptions page,
> FAQ,
> http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Lightning-List
>
> Web Forums!
>
>
>
>
>
TV dinner still cooling?
Check out "Tonight's Picks" on Yahoo! TV.
http://tv.yahoo.com/
Message 8
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| Subject: | Re: Help me I'm hooked! |
Way out of my league...
No interest at all.
Read this topic online here:
http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=105584#105584
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