lightweight over heavyweight?
Most companies allow 90kg for a pilot which becomes the BEW of the aircraft. Payload is always calculated and quoted on that.
At the gator the little guys always got flogged on bungles. With them at the helm you could use the 8th seat in a van or 7th in th 207.
At the gator the little guys always got flogged on bungles. With them at the helm you could use the 8th seat in a van or 7th in th 207.
What a load of rubbish. At 110+Kg I've been through instructing, piston charter, to turbines without a worry in the world.
If the operator is more worried about stuffing an extra 20-30kg in the aeroplane than finding the right pilot to fly it, then go find another operator.
If the operator is more worried about stuffing an extra 20-30kg in the aeroplane than finding the right pilot to fly it, then go find another operator.
Seasonally Adjusted
In a former life, when involved with hiring staff, we took on a guy after a phone interview. He came highly recommended from former staff, normally a good sign.
We got quite a shock when he arrived, 6ft 5 and 120 something kilos!
There were some jobs he couldn't be sent out on, not many, but he made up for it in work ethic and reliability.
We got quite a shock when he arrived, 6ft 5 and 120 something kilos!
There were some jobs he couldn't be sent out on, not many, but he made up for it in work ethic and reliability.
I wouldn't say 80 to 90kgs is a deal breaker for employment as this is the average for most Australian Males.
However we used to employ a pilot who weighed in at 115kgs. This meant that we leagally couldn't do some of the flying with him as PIC. This individual could best be described as obese.
It comes down to why should an employer's business be made to suffer due to employing a staff member who is unable to do the work required.
Apart of health implication, this individual probably cost our company over a 12 month period some $80,000 in lost revenue through additional flying/landings due to weight carrying restrictions.
As a post script I will say that we could not fault his flying ability - we just couldn't afford him at his weight level.
However we used to employ a pilot who weighed in at 115kgs. This meant that we leagally couldn't do some of the flying with him as PIC. This individual could best be described as obese.
It comes down to why should an employer's business be made to suffer due to employing a staff member who is unable to do the work required.
Apart of health implication, this individual probably cost our company over a 12 month period some $80,000 in lost revenue through additional flying/landings due to weight carrying restrictions.
As a post script I will say that we could not fault his flying ability - we just couldn't afford him at his weight level.
Wasn't there an incident with a lightweight pilot who didn't have the upper body strength to manage an incorrectly configured PA31 that pitched up on takeoff and had to get the front seat pax to help push it down?
Sprucegoose
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Hughes Point, where life is great! Was also resident on page 13, but now I'm lost in Cyberspace....
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90kg? That would be about normal these days wouldn't it?
Unfortunately my Doctor keeps telling me "when you're only 5'6" ya need to be concerned".
Unfortunately my Doctor keeps telling me "when you're only 5'6" ya need to be concerned".
There should be a law against sizeism. 
Recently learned that the school I hire Jabirus from is using me to illustrate to prospective students how much space there is in a Jab cockpit.
Personally, I see nothing wrong with being 6'3" and 125 kg.
Recently learned that the school I hire Jabirus from is using me to illustrate to prospective students how much space there is in a Jab cockpit.
Personally, I see nothing wrong with being 6'3" and 125 kg.
(well, almost! You'd left)
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Bounceferrit
Now I'm worried.If you add Mrs Mac's pies to cheeseburgers and beer you've just listed my entire away from home menu. My solution to the problem was to buy a bigger aircraft. RA
Now I'm worried.If you add Mrs Mac's pies to cheeseburgers and beer you've just listed my entire away from home menu. My solution to the problem was to buy a bigger aircraft. RA
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Ive seen 100kg pilots knocked back in Skydiving ops, too much extra weight, but that doesnt neccesarily mean the skinny guy gets the job either, he/she still needs to be able to fly. Ive seen (Im sure we all have) new CPL's come apply for a job, get a start only to last a few loads because their basic flying is crap.
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i'm 6ft 3 and 89kg, i was told that my weight would be a problem by one operator who prefers pilots 75kg and under (makes sense as it can mean the difference between carrying an extra paying pax on a scenic flight in a 210 and such). another mainly scenic operator has mentioned a 90kg weight limit for their pilots,however having said that most operators i have dealt with do not place low body weight high on their list of requirements.
There are suggestions that 1kg a year on an airliner can cost in the 10's of thousands hence why flight crew are expected to be within a certain weight.
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What a load of rubbish. At 110+Kg I've been through instructing, piston charter, to turbines without a worry in the world.
If the operator is more worried about stuffing an extra 20-30kg in the aeroplane than finding the right pilot to fly it, then go find another operator.
If the operator is more worried about stuffing an extra 20-30kg in the aeroplane than finding the right pilot to fly it, then go find another operator.
