ftgokie Posted November 23, 2015 Report Share Posted November 23, 2015 OK. 48yrs old and have always wanted to fly airplanes or helicopters since I was a teenager. I tried to use my GI Bill when I was stationed in Alaska from 1995-2000 but that was a NO GO….CH30 does not pay for Private License…. So fast forward….My 14.5yr old son has wanted to fly helicopters since he seen a Blackhawk fly over our house when he was iddy biddy….. he wants to go into the military and fly helicopters so I want to keep him focused on flying…so me and my wife decide maybe I should get my license. So I start looking into a couple of schools locally (well 50 miles away in Tulsa) since there are no helicopter schools in Muskogee or Tahlequah…..no biggie. I start looking at maybe purchasing my own helicopter…I look at the kit helicopters like Rotorway A600 or an Exec 162f….or, maybe a Robinson 22 if I can find one for 150k or less..I honestly never thought of this, but….after reading through this forum I seen a posting about weight…WHAT….weight? You mean I may be too FAT….hogwash…..No really..I am about 265 lovable pounds of fun masculine dyn-o-mite! So I am guessing I might have to go on a diet to be able to fly? That’s bull pucky….I love food…and since we are coming into the holidays….turkey and dressing deliciousness…and deer stew……anyways, getting back to my question….me being at 265lbs, is that going to be a problem? Honestly, if I have to lose weight to fly, I will. I have always wanted to do this and I want to keep my sons sights on flying and I will lose the weight if I have to. After 15yrs in the Infantry heck, I can lose the weight, no problem. Or maybe, someone sells fat guy helicopters? Questions, opinions, comments, thumbs up, thumbs down…or whatever is greatly appreciated. Thanks guys and gals! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ftgokie Posted November 23, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 23, 2015 Oh yea...I am honestly not going into this as a job, just for the enjoyment of flying. I have 3 more years here at the VA and I can retire with 20yrs of Govt service...and I am also 90% disabled. So for me, this will be something fun to do when I retire at 51yrs old...maybe fly the wife, son, family and friends around... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r22butters Posted November 23, 2015 Report Share Posted November 23, 2015 265lbs huh? You seem like a perfect candidate for the new R-44 Cadet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ftgokie Posted November 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2015 Is that good, or bad 265lbs huh? You seem like a perfect candidate for the new R-44 Cadet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nearly Retired Posted November 24, 2015 Report Share Posted November 24, 2015 265 pounds, eh? The FAA is now on a sleep-apnea kick. When you go for your flight physical, if your Body Mass Index (BMI) is over 40, you can expect some extra scrutiny from your doctor. The FAA wanted to make BMI 40 a hard-and-fast rule but got talked/pressured out of it. You can bet that FAA HQ has given guidance to AMEs (Aviation Medical Examiners) about how to deal with fat applicants. And that "informal" guidance probably was, "Flunk them if you even suspect OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) and make them apply for a Special Issuance." If you are 5'9" and 265 pounds, your BMI is 39. You and your AME are going to have a serious discussion before he'll issue your flight physical. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ftgokie Posted November 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2015 265 pounds, eh? The FAA is now on a sleep-apnea kick. When you go for your flight physical, if your Body Mass Index (BMI) is over 40, you can expect some extra scrutiny from your doctor. The FAA wanted to make BMI 40 a hard-and-fast rule but got talked/pressured out of it. You can bet that FAA HQ has given guidance to AMEs (Aviation Medical Examiners) about how to deal with fat applicants. And that "informal" guidance probably was, "Flunk them if you even suspect OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) and make them apply for a Special Issuance." If you are 5'9" and 265 pounds, your BMI is 39. You and your AME are going to have a serious discussion before he'll issue your flight physical. Might as well just start watching what I eat and working out.....It would be good for me anyways. This is something I have always wanted....always put off....not anymore. Even though this will just be a hobby for me, its something I am dead set on (unless medical issues will not allow me) Seriously though, thanks for the input, I truly appreciate it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r22butters Posted November 24, 2015 Report Share Posted November 24, 2015 (edited) Is that good, or bad Only time will tell! For what its worth the R-22 has a seat weight limit of 240lbs. You could also try Enstrom, they have more room for hefty dudes. Edited November 24, 2015 by r22butters 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizzyD Posted November 24, 2015 Report Share Posted November 24, 2015 90% disabled Anything else going on health wise that would preclude passing an aviation medical? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ftgokie Posted November 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2015 Honestly not that I am aware of. Might have to get glasses...Im not sure what all they check when they do a medical exam for flight. I should probably look that up tomorrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BCBOATER Posted November 24, 2015 Report Share Posted November 24, 2015 Welcome to the forum.Expensive hobby to get into....but so are many others.Some collect old cars. ..others enjoy escorts or collect rare coins.Flying is the best fun I could think of as a hobby besides boating. But i fly for a living so it is different for me.Enjoy whatever you choose to do.And lose the weight for yourself and your health....not just for some doctor. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flying Pig Posted November 24, 2015 Report Share Posted November 24, 2015 Get your airplane ratings and join Civil Air Patrol. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samrwalker Posted November 24, 2015 Report Share Posted November 24, 2015 FTGokie, I live and fly in the Tulsa area. Shoot me a PM and I'll get you in contact with some great guys here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ftgokie Posted November 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2015 Get your airplane ratings and join Civil Air Patrol. I didnt think of that! Great idea...thank you FTGokie, I live and fly in the Tulsa area. Shoot me a PM and I'll get you in contact with some great guys here! Sam...sending PM now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wally Posted November 24, 2015 Report Share Posted November 24, 2015 OK. 48yrs old and have always wanted to fly airplanes or helicopters since I was a teenager. I tried to use my GI Bill when I was stationed in Alaska from 1995-2000 but that was a NO GO….CH30 does not pay for Private License…. So fast forward….My 14.5yr old son has wanted to fly helicopters since he seen a Blackhawk fly over our house when he was iddy biddy….. he wants to go into the military and fly helicopters so I want to keep him focused on flying…so me and my wife decide maybe I should get my license. So I start looking into a couple of schools locally (well 50 miles away in Tulsa) since there are no helicopter schools in Muskogee or Tahlequah…..no biggie. I start looking at maybe purchasing my own helicopter…I look at the kit helicopters like Rotorway A600 or an Exec 162f….or, maybe a Robinson 22 if I can find one for 150k or less..I honestly never thought of this, but….after reading through this forum I seen a posting about weight…WHAT….weight? You mean I may be too FAT….hogwash…..No really..I am about 265 lovable pounds of fun masculine dyn-o-mite! So I am guessing I might have to go on a diet to be able to fly? That’s bull pucky….I love food…and since we are coming into the holidays….turkey and dressing deliciousness…and deer stew……anyways, getting back to my question….me being at 265lbs, is that going to be a problem? Honestly, if I have to lose weight to fly, I will. I have always wanted to do this and I want to keep my sons sights on flying and I will lose the weight if I have to. After 15yrs in the Infantry heck, I can lose the weight, no problem. Or maybe, someone sells fat guy helicopters? Questions, opinions, comments, thumbs up, thumbs down…or whatever is greatly appreciated. Thanks guys and gals! The Hughes (or whatever it is now) 269 series might be a viable option air frame. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ftgokie Posted November 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 25, 2015 The Hughes (or whatever it is now) 269 series might be a viable option air frame. OK Thanks Wally Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbolag Posted December 6, 2015 Report Share Posted December 6, 2015 I'm new too man. I like the forum so far. The morale seems pretty good. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaybee Posted December 6, 2015 Report Share Posted December 6, 2015 If you just want to make some turns around the patch and have fun with the family an airplane will be much better suited to your needs. Once you get the airspace rules, talking on the radio, etc, etc down the helicopter can be an easy add-on. At your weight, might want to look for a Bell 47 plus the 47 is just the most awesome machine ever built. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canadian47 Posted December 7, 2015 Report Share Posted December 7, 2015 If you just want to make some turns around the patch and have fun with the family an airplane will be much better suited to your needs. Once you get the airspace rules, talking on the radio, etc, etc down the helicopter can be an easy add-on. At your weight, might want to look for a Bell 47 plus the 47 is just the most awesome machine ever built.Just for reference, my '47 (a G4) has a useful load of ~1,050 pounds, max load in the cabin is 575 pounds. Glenn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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