Too fat & tall to be a CFI ?

[Zoxinho]

Hi everybody !!

I tried to find answers of my question on this forum and on internet but I just found contradictory answers.

I have my project in my head, for the moment I save money to have my CPL and my CFI next year in U.S ( September or October 2014). But I have one big trouble and I’m little worried, I couldn’t complete this project because of my weight and height.

I’m 1m95 (6.4 ft) for 95kg (210 lbs.). If I make an effort I can weight 90kg (200lbs) but even with that I’m afraid my weight is a huge obstacle to be an instructor on R22.

I called many schools to have information about that but every schools told me is not a problem to be an instructor with this weight and height.
I have a big doubt about what they said, because I know all schools wants more students to make more money.

That’s why I asking to you, professional, instructor or students. If I have any chance to be an instructor or if my project is dead before I start.
Scuse me for my English, I try to improve it every day ;)

Thank’s in advance for your feedback or your advices.

[FYR]

Hi zox

On the school i attended in Norway, we had a few instructors who were about your size.

Granted, it made planning a bit harder, and some of the longer navtrips we had to shorten down, but for circuit and near-airport flights (which constitute maybe 90% of the dual flights) it made no difference.

Be aware however, that the R22's have slightly different dryweights and moments, some will make absolutely no problems for you, while others (often those fitted with a lot of instruments) will make problems for even the skinniest FI's

If you want to check, try filling out a weight and balance sheet for a robinson 22, you can find them all over the web, and see what happens. -Just remember that most calculators use pounds ;)

Fly safe!

[helimutt]

I'm really hoping that your post is made up. If you are at any time unsure of someones weight, WEIGH THEM!
To guess someones weight and go flying is ridiculous (especially in an R22) where it doesnt take much to put you over the limits of the a/c.

To do so is madness. :ugh::ugh:

Check the seat limits for the R22. Its in the handbook. Check the MAUW. It's in the handbook. Do a weight and balance with real figures. If you're over, don't fly, its not legal and if something were to happen??? :eek:

[tu154]

Some 22s are better than others, and most of the time it's the forward CofG that you will exceed first. Betas are usually ok, Beta IIs you may not have much room to play with. The only way to tell for sure is with that aircraft's weight and balance figures.

A good organisation will maintain a list of aircraft, instructors, and a maximum student weight those instructors can fly with in each aircraft.

If you exceed the limits in the operating handbook, then you are on fairly dodgy ground if something goes wrong, and morally dubious ground even if it doesn't. :=

[a-star]

Pilot at work is 6 foot 5, 97kgs.

Did his licence all in an r22, flys scenic in a r44
...

Flys the squirrel at work now and reckons it's a tighter fit than the 44!!

[Zoxinho]

Thx all !!

All posts help me, and I'm little more confident in my decision ! I can do this but for sure I have to take care of my weight, with 90kg it will be better for sure, I have to make an effort to loose this #='ù*$ 5 kg !

I read on the Robinson's site, the limit weight on R22 beta II is 181kg for passengers and luggage with standard fuel (16.9 gal = 46kg).
So when you are an instructor I think you never take luggage with you.
Which mean I could teach to students with a maximum weight of 91 kg.

Am I right ? Or I have to take into consideration other aspects ?

[Exo.]

Centre of Gravity is almost always the limiting factor in the R22. It's a similar story sightseeing in a 44.

Ours are limited at cabin weight of approximately 385lbs, but some can be as low as 365...

Given you already make up 210lbs of that, you will need a student 155lbs or less (11 stone or 70kgs).

Not necessarily unreasonable, but there are plenty of people learning to fly over that number!

[Standard Overhaul]

Hi

Read Jobs for CFI, they ask for specific Weight limits, also a few companies have weight and Height limits.

[MightyGem]

he said , really I think I am nearer to your estimate than my stated weight.
Hmm...sounds like you could have been overweight and/or out of CofG limits. Not a good thing, Peter. :=

[Zoxinho]

Ouchhhh less than 70 kgs !! If it's really like that I think it will be very hard to find someone who wants to employ me ....
But why in the R22 brochure, they said the limited cabin weight is 181kg (400 lbs)? Even if my weight is 100 kg I couldn't teach a guy around 80 kg ?

I already read CFI jobs but they never speak about weight and height limits.

I have a big doubt, if someone can give me some explications, it would be really appreciated :ok:.

[cldbstr]

In the year 2000 I learned to fly helicopters on the R22. When it was time to do my examination, I met my examiner. He was big!!! not lengthwise, but very heavy.

So we started of with a cup of coffee, I had to answer several questions, had to show my W&B, my nav plan etc. I realised that my W&B had to be way off so I asked if he wanted me to redo my calculation. His question: why? So I suggested that I had used standard weights and that he was . . . well, a bit heavier. He was clearly offended by my question. Not a good way to start an exam. And I was nervous! My first exam for my PPL.

So we went over to the R22. I calculated the maximum manifold pressure I could pull and started the engine. I pulled power right up to the calculated value, nothing happened. The helo wasn't even light on its skids! So by the book I told him we couldn't go flying. He replied by saying that was normal when he was in the cockpit of a R22 and that I just had to pull more power. And that I needed to stop whining. So I just did what he told me. After all, he was the professional, I was the beginner. The entire exam was done with the manifold pressure being on or over red line. Upon landing he told me I passed the exam. Driving home I realized how stupid this guy was and that I had been a fool listening to him.

I have never seen the guy since. Later several warnings came out by Robinson Helicopter warning for pilots pulling too much power. I hope he did something about his weight. After this incident I have always been extra careful about weights.

[cldbstr]

My examiner must have been over 115 kgs.

[VP-F__]

try a schweizer :)

[Zoxinho]

Thx all for your answer :ok:
I read the maximum the weight limit for pilot & passenger is 400 lbs (181 kg).
Is it right ?

And yes I thinking about to do my CFI on schweizer but it's bit harder to find a school with this kind of helicopter.