View Full Version : C150 height limitations
Hi All,
A guy at work recently won a raffle, the prize for which is an hour's flight with me. Luckily he's looking forward to it but at 6'5", he's a pretty tall fella. My previous PAX have been nowhere near this tall; should I be worried it's going to be dangerously too snug?
Cheers
Tim
Ianp83
4th Jan 2013, 13:02
I'm 6' and in the152 I am learning in I need to have the seat right back and it's not super easy getting in. I think he will struggle to be comfortable if he can even get in.
First I would check on the legality of running a raffle on a PPL private flight prize and check you are legal to do the flight and meet insurance requirements.
Second ! Do a thorough weight and balance calculation!
Third check the guy can comfortably sit in the aircraft and secure the belts!
Make sure he can get out quickly in the event of a mishap.
Make sure there is no way he can inhibit the controls.
Pace
AN2 Driver
4th Jan 2013, 13:21
I am 6'2, owned a C150 for many years and vertical space was never a problem to me, nor the seatbelts. It's the lateral which got in my way over the years :ooh: and in connection with that, w&b.
Pilot DAR
4th Jan 2013, 13:30
I'm 6'3 and have lots of head room in my 150. It is reputed that Clyde Cessna was 6'6", and liked to fit into his own aircraft. That's why there seem to be more problems with people being too short for the Cessna's, than too tall...
PilotDar
I am sure the height itself is not restrictive but not all tall people are slim and a tall fat guy may cause a problem on extricating the aircraft, weight and balance and obstruction of controls which all need to be taken into account.
He also needs to be aware of raffles entering the realms of hire and reward and thus making the flight illegal.
There was a case a few years back of such a charity flight in an R22 with a Mother and child. The flight went wrong and the PPL went to prison.
Pace
Thanks for the replies everybody.
It seems like the PAX height issue would be OK, but I'm now concerned about the legality of the flight based on what people have said. I am in no way profiting from the flight and so didn't for a second think it would be illegal. I'll look into things in more detail and cancel if necessary.
For what it's worth, it seems crazy that a PPL holder can ask a PAX to contribute an equal share of the direct cost to hire an aircraft and yet the donation of a relatively small amount of money to charity could be classed as illegal.
Unusual Attitude
4th Jan 2013, 15:54
You might want to read the following assuming its not changed again since:-
http://www.ead.eurocontrol.int/eadbasic/pamslight-9F14679403A464909296961B7547FA87/7FE5QZZF3FXUS/EN/AIC/W/104-2012/EG_Circ_2012_W_104_en_2012-07-12.pdf
Thanks, I've just been reading that exact document.
All fine apart from one requirement.
tmmorris
4th Jan 2013, 20:13
You can always ask, if it's not a major issue they may say yes. I wonder why it still requires a licensed ad when instruction no longer does.
Tim
FREDAcheck
5th Jan 2013, 08:53
Yes, 6' 5" is about the service ceiling for a C150.
Pilot DAR
5th Jan 2013, 18:21
Yes, 6' 5" is about the service ceiling for a C150.
Until you take off...;)
Whopity
5th Jan 2013, 19:24
Take 6 people of 6' 5" and sit them down next to each other and you will see that there is little correlation between overall height and sitting height. My son is 6' 6", some 4 inches taller than me, but we both have the same sitting height and I have no trouble in a C150.
Piltdown Man
6th Jan 2013, 08:28
What was first prize?
PM
Maoraigh1
6th Jan 2013, 20:47
You might want to read the following assuming its not changed again since:-
http://www.ead.eurocontrol.int/eadba...2012-07-12.pdf
I downloaded the PDF from the link, but the link hasn't worked since Friday.
ChrisJ800
21st Jan 2013, 05:10
Im 6'4" and learnt partly on 150's and had no problem fitting in. Was a lot skinnier back then though!
mad_jock
21st Jan 2013, 07:54
Height isn't usually a problem.
Shoulder width is a different issue. To big and you can play the if we shut one door the other one pops open game.
Will Hung
21st Jan 2013, 11:07
I know an Instructor / Examiner who can do the visual fuel check on a 150/152 without a ladder or using the strut. I've seen it !
Pilot DAR
21st Jan 2013, 11:10
Yes. I have approved my 150 for flight with either (but not both) door removed. If I'm taking a strapping lad, I'll take my door off, and thus at least have room on the left side!
I have always felt that Cessna missed a market segment by not building a plane halfway between the 150/152 and the 172. A slightly bigger, faster, fancier two place, which could be stretched to three or four as a 150/152 can. But Cessna knew their market....