Too Big To Fly

It sounds to me like step 1 is to start looking for another job. If the job you have now pays well, that will obviously be hard to walk away from. But if your health is suffering because of work, somethings gotta give. Take care of yourself.
 
cbomia said:
I did ask her that and the largest aircraft she had was 172 and her other instructors wouldn't be able to fit with me.
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Then, as others suggested, try some other schools. Losing a bunch of weight might also do the trick. But understand she really is looking out for safety here, and give her credit for at least trying one flight to see if it would work.
 
david0tey said:
It sounds to me like step 1 is to start looking for another job. If the job you have now pays well, that will obviously be hard to walk away from. But if your health is suffering because of work, somethings gotta give. Take care of yourself.
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I have a very well paying job, majorly the reason I was finally able to pursue flight. It would almost be impossible for me to walk away from, but I do completely understand your point of health coming first.
 
Ron Levy said:
Then, as others suggested, try some other schools. Losing a bunch of weight might also do the trick. But understand she really is looking out for safety here, and give her credit for at least trying one flight to see if it would work.
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Yes she took the chance and I told her that I really appreciated the opportunity to give it a go. And she reiterated the safety part for her and myself numerous times, she has over 30 years experience and I trust her judgement. She said she had to sit down with the other instructors and really give it some thought before she came to her decision, and for that I appreciate. I told her thanks and then made an account on this site looking for advice and a next step. You guys have been more than helpful.
 
I have the impression this instructors main concern was that if the student "froze" on the controls that she'd be unable to take over control from him? Seems to me that you should be able to find another instructor that wouldn't have that concern.
Without doing the calculations here I'm none the less pretty sure you could do this in a Cessna 172 which is after all considered a 4 place airplane, if forward CG was a problem you could always throw a case of oil in the baggage compartment.
Any new student would be well advised to get the medical out of the way early, not only to keep you from investing a lot on training only to find out you can't pass a medical but also you'll need a medical certificate before solo.
 
If you can afford it you need to buy a Commander 114. It is designed for Large people. I think this airplane has the largest cabin of all the single engines out there.
 
warthog1984 said:
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I know of at least one DPE who had to turn an applicant away (did not accept their money), simply because they were over the structural load limit for the seats (350lb IIRC). DPE was open to flying, but said until they got a waiver letter from the manufacturer saying they wouldn't overstress the seats, the DPE couldn't fly with them due to safety issues.
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Yes, structural integrity of the seat might be a factor during high "G" manuvers (steep turns, accelerated stalls, etc.).
 
Go with a 182 and some diet and exercise . Good luck
 
My friend/instructor had some similar comments to me when we started. While I'm ONLY at 270, I lift weights often and have a pretty solid/muscular frame, wide shoulders, etc. My instructor is a great pilot, but at about 150 lbs he told me there would be no way he could wrestle the controls from me if I locked. I asked him what he would do in that instance and he replied "smack you upside the head and yell at the top of my lungs 'I HAVE THE PLANE'..." So far I've never locked at 46 hours in the logbook, but he has reminded me to BREATHE a time or two during landings. :D

Keep looking, and as others have said use it as motivation to get healthier at the same time.
 
Another set of planes to try would be the Beech Sundowner. It's roomy which means it's kind of slow, but you can fit in it. Also the Commander 114 is a big cabin plane. These two types are not easily found, but check around, or see if you can afford the Sundowner. You would want the Sundowner 180HP.

Good luck, and keep thinking positive.
 
The Sundowner is a good airplane. I have many hours in them. They are slow. SLOW. SLOOOOWWWWW. 105 knots wide open. But they are comfortable and fly well, and they are inexpensive to acquire at around $35k for a decent specimen. They're also not amazingly fuel efficient. Around 10 gph if I recall correctly.
 
Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe said:
You flew with Jo?

I don't have a lot of experience with the other airports around there, but there is more than one operation at Ann Arbor ARB (http://www.michiganflyers.org/ is one I would suggest checking out). Toledo Suburban DUH (Lamertville) is not far, Monroe TTF has a 172. You could check at Fulton County USE, Hillsdale JVM , Techumseh 3TE, Toledo Express TOL and Toledo Exec TDZ. Grosse Ile ONZ is probably a bit of a hike for you if you started in Adrian. Airnav.com can be used to look up the names of the schools at those airports.

Send a private message to Saracelica http://www.pilotsofamerica.com/forum/member.php?u=8158 - she should know about some of the options down there in the corner of the state.
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I'm a member of the Michigan Flyers, and while we have a 182, it's not used for primary instruction (per the bylaws, I think). We do have two 180 hp 172s (one newish, G-1000 equipped and one from 1984 that was converted from its original engine) that might work for you.
 
At 6'4", losing 100 pounds would do wonders.

I've known several severely obese people who've lost a lot of weight. The first 100 is the easiest and comes off the fastest.

I'd set that goal and get to work. If you really put the effort in, you could be down to 300 in several months and back in the sky. Eating right and a regimented exercise plan. 300 at 6'4" is big but it's not that big.

Worse comes to worst, get gastric bypass. I'm not one to take shortcuts with health, but it's better then staying 400 pounds and dying at 60.

In my experience, having an absolute goal does wonders for willpower vs. just trying to lose weight for looks, etc. When you know it's either exercise or don't fly, you'll exercise. If the passion for flight is there, you'll have no problems doing whatever it takes to get in the cockpit.
 
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Sundowner is a good choice two door will help a lot with a low wing and your size. Head room might be an issue. CG will have to be watched. Will need ballistic in back.
 
ron22 said:
Sundowner is a good choice two door will help a lot with a low wing and your size. Head room might be an issue. CG will have to be watched. Will need ballistic in back.
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I think you meant 'ballast'. Wouldn't want to have any rocketry back there. ;)

He would prolly need ballast in almost any four seat. I know he'd need it in a Bonanza.
 
docmirror said:
I think you meant 'ballast'. Wouldn't want to have any rocketry back there. ;)

He would prolly need ballast in almost any four seat. I know he'd need it in a Bonanza.
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Wha? Wha? WHAAAT? I can run the W&B numbers but on the "big tank, 2x40gal" Bos (1961 or older 35s) they used more of the wing (the back) to increase the fuel tank size and as a result they are tail heavy. You can actually carry MORE with MORE fuel because the CG moves back as you go and can get you out of CG with "stuff" in the back as you burn fuel.
 
bartmc said:
Wha? Wha? WHAAAT? I can run the W&B numbers but on the "big tank, 2x40gal" Bos (1961 or older 35s) they used more of the wing (the back) to increase the fuel tank size and as a result they are tail heavy. You can actually carry MORE with MORE fuel because the CG moves back as you go and can get you out of CG with "stuff" in the back as you burn fuel.
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Easy there chief. We don't want ya blowing a gasket. Since the Bo was made from 47 up through the 80s it's hard to pin down one aspect of the W&B scenario. However, the basics are that the Bo(and almost all other light GA singles) was designed for two 170Lb folks up front. This guy is more than that in one seat and he's gonna have an instructor with him. So, let's say just for example his CFI is a lightweight at 170, and he's 370, that's a total of 540 at station front seat, or about 200 over the design goal.

My statement was a 'general' one about the Bo being load sensitive, which I hope we can agree on. BTW, in early airframes, all the fuel is forward of CG. More weight in the front just makes it worse.

Different Bo's different loads, but your example is right. More fuel aft, means more load in front. Some can't add fuel, but need - wait for it,,, ballast.
 
bartmc said:
My Bo came with flares.
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Mine came with flares.

And an 'air conditioner'

Optional 'Blind flying instrumentation'

Night lighting with beacon

Dual landing lights

Adjustable rudders on right side

8" 'soft field gear' wheels and tires

Mud scraper nose gear

Omnidirectional navigation communication radio with 8 crystals, including a speaker and grill

So there. :D
 
bartmc said:
You have to report things like an arrest for DUI. If you're under 40, it's good for 5 years. 3 years if you're over 40 when you take it. It's no big deal. Took my 2nd ever medical today. Here's my write up. :D http://www.pilotsofamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1431513
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Hmm..

I must be getting old....

I thought a 1st class was good for 6 month, 2nd class was 1 year and third class was 2 years, unless you were younger then 40, and then it's good for 5 years..:confused::confused:
 
docmirror said:
I think you meant 'ballast'. Wouldn't want to have any rocketry back there. ;)

He would prolly need ballast in almost any four seat. I know he'd need it in a Bonanza.
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I ran his W&B numbers in my Tampico. It was good with him, the instructor, and full fuel. It even had 26 pounds to spare, as long as you put the weight in the back seat or baggage compartment.

Plus the TB series aircraft are EXTRA ROOMY! Read that as two BIG people in the front seats and they don't rub elbows.

Jim
 
If the gentleman goes to a good heart specialist, gets a good check up, and does what he is told, the problem will be solved without further speculation.
 
Yes, hopefully the underlying problem isn't getting covered up here. You need to lose some weight.
 
I just pulled a W&B on my 182Q, 550 lbs in the front seats, 250 lbs in the rear seats and 55 gallons of fuel is under gross and within the envelope. :D
You'll fit OK into a 182, but losing weight while you're young is a lot easier than waiting until you're in your 40's :confused:
 
N801BH said:
Hmm..

I must be getting old....

I thought a 1st class was good for 6 month, 2nd class was 1 year and third class was 2 years, unless you were younger then 40, and then it's good for 5 years..:confused::confused:
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It changed a few years ago. Under 40, First and Second Class privileges are both good for one year, and Third Class is good for five years.
 
cbomia said:
Hello all,

My name is Chris and I am roughly 400 lbs at 6'4". I took my Discovery flight on Sunday and the flight instructor called me today and said she would be unable to train me because of my size. Here I am now with a pilot log with .5 hours signed off and on the computer looking for options. We were pretty tight in the cockpit at first but it seemed to get more comfortable as we adjusted around. We flew a cessna 172 out of Lenawee County Airport. My instructor was a smaller woman, maybe 145 lbs soaking wet. She had an occurence with another trainee that was 300 lbs starting to land and he "locked up" and she couldn't get the controls away from him. I understand her fear, she said all of my turns were very smooth and well controlled and that i had a "nac" for flying. I am an ex-football player, i have no medical issues, i have a very large frame though. Are their any schools that will work around that, or am i just dreaming the impossible. I am open to honesty, and I never like to give up. Any and all responses will be helpful. I live in South East Michigan and would love to learn from a school close by.
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Hey chris!! I totally feel you. I weigh in at about 330 6'1 and was as high as 340 in training. My brother weighs 280 and was gonna give me flight lessons in a 172... but we decided that was a bad idea. I don't know your volume... but maybe you can still find someone willing to fly with you. Just cause someone isnt comfortable doesnt mean everyone wont be. But I am pushing the limits at 330 (at 26 hours) . Been trying to lose weight but it is super hard... If it was easy I would have been skinny for years.

Anyways i feel comfortable flying with my CFIs one's bigger ones smaller, Im fine... but its also important that your CFI is comfortable. I fly a 172.

I hope you find a solution!

Nathan
 
South Beach Diet. Try it. There is absolutely no way that much weight is healthy.
 
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