Height and weight issues

[TCC]

Hey everyone. First post but I've been reading for a while.

 

First off, I'm big (read: muscular).. pushing 6'9" and at 260 lbs. I want to learn to fly. The instructor that I have been talking to says that I would have trouble training in the R22 because of both height and weight. He said I may have to train in the R44 or B206.

 

I know there are a couple people here that are similar in stature. Is/was this a major obstical?

 

I wouldn't really mind losing the superman look . But if I don't have to, that would be one less thing to keep in check.

 

 

I humbly cede the floor to the informed!

 

 

Thanks,

 

Tris

[Pogue]

The max seat weight for an R22 is 240 pounds, althouth the R44 would be OK. I think you should be good at any of the schools flying the Schweizer.

[svtcobra66]

I'm 6'4" and fly schweizer 300s without a problem, 6'9" might be tight though. I know the R22 is pretty much the smallest cockpit for a training helicopter. Training in the 206 will be very expensive, same with the R44. Try to get into a 300 if you can.

[Goldy]

I'm 6'4" and fly schweizer 300s without a problem, 6'9" might be tight though. I know the R22 is pretty much the smallest cockpit for a training helicopter. Training in the 206 will be very expensive, same with the R44. Try to get into a 300 if you can.

 

 

You would be over the seat weight and the W& B calcs in both the R22 and R44.

 

Personally, I would go for a Bell 47 or S 300. The Bell 47 has a lot of leg room, I'm 6-5 ..and a lot of power, I'm 240..and I could take two passengers with no problems. The cost is a lot less than a 206...probably more like $225-240 an hour plus CFI..

[Pogue]

You would be over the seat weight and the W& B calcs in both the R22 and R44.

 

Personally, I would go for a Bell 47 or S 300. The Bell 47 has a lot of leg room, I'm 6-5 ..and a lot of power, I'm 240..and I could take two passengers with no problems. The cost is a lot less than a 206...probably more like $225-240 an hour plus CFI..

The Raven 2 has a max seat wieght of 300. I don't have a POH for a Raven 1...

[Gomer Pylot]

Weighing 260 will limit your job options, if you intend to fly commercially. Most EMS operators follow CAMTS guidelines, and you're well over the maximum weight for that. The problem is that every pound of pilot weight reduces the allowable patient weight or the fuel weight by that amount. Most light EMS helicopters are operating at or near max gross weight on every takeoff with a patient onboard now. The same goes for most other operations.