---------------------------------------------------------- RV4-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Fri 03/12/04: 4 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 07:54 AM - tall pilots in RV-4s (Joa Harrison) 2. 09:22 AM - Re: tall pilots in RV-4s (Bill Gunn) 3. 10:13 AM - Re: tall pilots in RV-4s (rebibb@comcast.net) 4. 01:09 PM - Re: tall pilots in RV-4s (Joa Harrison) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 07:54:47 AM PST US From: Joa Harrison Subject: RV4-List: tall pilots in RV-4s --> RV4-List message posted by: Joa Harrison What is the height of the tallest pilot you've seen comfortably fly an RV-4? Any idea whether it's the sitting height or the inseam that limits the height? For taller pilots where does the instrument panel sit in relation to your knees- is it in front or behind your kneecaps during rudder travel and about how close is it to your knees? Can any simple mods be done to allow for taller pilots? Raising the lower edge of the panel, adding a spacer to the canopy, dropping the seat a bit, etc? Thanks folks. Joa --------------------------------- ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 09:22:01 AM PST US From: "Bill Gunn" Subject: Re: RV4-List: tall pilots in RV-4s --> RV4-List message posted by: "Bill Gunn" I am 6'2" - inseam 36 inches. I moved the FCP seat back rearward 1 inches & made the connecting straps between the rudder cables and petals 5" vs. 4 " called for. I get full rudder deflection, just. I often fly in socks only and put my feet on the firewall side of the rudder petals on long flights. Finally, I made a 5 - 6 " diameter round covered foam thigh support that sits on top of the spar. This is the width of the cockpit and held in place with velcro. This supports my thighs and take the strain off of the back. I have flown 8 hours X/C in a day in relative comfort. >>> sigmatero2@yahoo.com 3/12/2004 9:54:27 AM >>> --> RV4-List message posted by: Joa Harrison What is the height of the tallest pilot you've seen comfortably fly an RV-4? Any idea whether it's the sitting height or the inseam that limits the height? For taller pilots where does the instrument panel sit in relation to your knees- is it in front or behind your kneecaps during rudder travel and about how close is it to your knees? Can any simple mods be done to allow for taller pilots? Raising the lower edge of the panel, adding a spacer to the canopy, dropping the seat a bit, etc? Thanks folks. Joa --------------------------------- ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 10:13:09 AM PST US From: rebibb@comcast.net Subject: Re: RV4-List: tall pilots in RV-4s --> RV4-List message posted by: rebibb@comcast.net I am 6'5" and fit in my RV-4. I moved the front seat back 3/4". You can't move it much the canopy fram brace will interfere with the roll bar structure. Comfortable is a realative term but I flew it for 6 hours in 3 hour legs to OSH and it wasn't too bad.... > --> RV4-List message posted by: Joa Harrison > > What is the height of the tallest pilot you've seen comfortably fly an RV-4? > Any idea whether it's the sitting height or the inseam that limits the height? > > For taller pilots where does the instrument panel sit in relation to your knees- > is it in front or behind your kneecaps during rudder travel and about how close > is it to your knees? > > Can any simple mods be done to allow for taller pilots? Raising the lower edge > of the panel, adding a spacer to the canopy, dropping the seat a bit, etc? > > Thanks folks. > > Joa > > > --------------------------------- > > > > > > ________________________________ Message 4 _____________________________________ Time: 01:09:45 PM PST US From: Joa Harrison Subject: Re: RV4-List: tall pilots in RV-4s --> RV4-List message posted by: Joa Harrison Thanks for the info, you're all very helpful. I'm 6'7" but am fairly evenly proportioned between torso and legs and fit in a lot of different planes (the smaller ones being an Ercoupe and a C-152). I'm just finishing the build of a Rans S-7, which I fit marvelously in, and it's this seating configuration (tandem) that has me thinking of my next possible plane (a few years down the road). The RV-4 would give me tandem seating, a fairly affordable used aircraft, and of course the benefit of belonging to a great community of other RV owners. Thanks again for the information. Joa Joa Harrison wrote: --> RV4-List message posted by: Joa Harrison What is the height of the tallest pilot you've seen comfortably fly an RV-4? Any idea whether it's the sitting height or the inseam that limits the height? ---------------------------------