Trial introductory flight for the larger gentleman?
 

Hi gents, apologies if this is in the wrong place. In all my searching, this appeared to be one of the more knowledgeable aviation forums specific to Australia.

My issue is this: I want to fly a plane. I've been looking around and contacted quite a number of places to do a trial flight but they all seem to have a blanket ban on anyone over 6' and 100kg. I'm personally a bit over 6'5" and approximately 145kg. Can anyone recommend a flight school in Melbourne that could accommodate me? Or do I need to just admit defeat and accept it's not for me?

Just to add a bit of context, I'm looking to do a trial flight to gauge my own interest in it, not set on going for a license or anything of that nature just yet.

Cheers, Ben.

Next time you enquire just tell them you are 5ft 18 inches tall and weigh 22.8 stone.
That will bamboozle any millennial.

I'm thinking you would fit in a Cirrus fairly well.

There may be a longer term issue though and that is that your BMI is very high and you may struggle to be issued with a medical, depending on the type of license that you decide to go for.

I don't know what the problem is? Many years ago George Campbell use to instruct at Mudgee. He was 150kgs and only 5ft 6. When he got in the C150 it was a sight to see.

Notwithstanding George was a sought after Instructor as he had the knack to making a pupil feel at home.

You may have to learn on a C172 as it will be easier to get into rather than the Warrior types. It also has a better seat adjustment, especially later series ones.

Just remember you are a client who is spending money. Don't talk to the young instructors, go and speak directly with the flight school owner, after all he has a vested interest.

For what it's worth go and have a talk to Guy Pearson at Essendon. not cheap but good value and has C172s on line.

And he was probably overweight on every flight. Pun intended.
And illegal.

In any case.
Look for the larger aircraft such as C182/Cirrus SR20
And unless you’re a sportsman/body builder I second the opinion on the medical.

I knew a guy once, used to compete in Strongman Competitions, heavy bloke, fairly tall and still made it happen but it was NOT easy as fitting in an Aircraft was difficult for him at best, did most of his training in C182s from what I recall which meant it cost a bit more as well.

Not much you can do about your height but certainly, unless as pointed out you're a Bodybuilder/Sportsman etc... then it could be a good time to take an extra 6 months or a year, save a bit more to be able to afford flying in larger singles like C182 instead of C152s to start and lose the weight at the same time.

Long and short of it is, if you want you, you'll make it happen!

Do you training in summer in any of those aircraft, and if being a pilot is not for you - being a jockey is always an option!

Thanks for the info lads.

Definitely not a strongman type. I've dropped about 20kg in the last 3 months (which has sparked my interest in this again), and intend to keep dropping that further, but I'm never getting down to 100kg, that's for damn sure!

I'll definitely get on to Guy Pearson. Not worried about paying good money for the service. I'll just be happy to get a go!

Ben
Don’t let stupid comments get you down.
If you want to fly this is often a good place to get some useful info, in amoungst the crap comments from smug people who would be unlikely to say it to your face.

Hi Ben,
I spent some time flying in a club 172n (160hp) around melbourne, with a friend who is about the same height/weight. I myself am 90kg and 6"4. We never had any issues flying out of the all the usual airstrips, in regards to aircraft performance.
Just find a school (with a C172) on whatever side of the city you are on and you'll be able to get along just fine mate. No need to pay any more than the average student.

Ben,
That would eliminate a large proportion of the Australian male (and some female) population, including almost all AFL and NRL players, most of whom do not suit CASA's BMI tables.
As I don't, and haven't since I was playing rugby at school --- longer ago than I really want to remember. Didn't stop me accumulating a pocket full of licenses and 25,000 or so hours.
Those figures are nonsense, glad I never came up against such nonsense in early days, when the guy who sent me solo was nicknamed "Tiny", and not because he was ever going to be a jockey.
Hang in there!!
Tootle pip!!

If you're on the west side of Melbourne, I'd have a look at Kyneton. They have a Cessna 172, and their rates are pretty good, especially for club members. Make sure you wave at Greggy as you fly over his house.. (you can't miss it - he's written "your planes not welcome here" in his lawn with weed-killer..)

subject
 

[QUOTE=dhavillandpilot;10104654]I don't know what the problem is? Many years ago George Campbell use to instruct at Mudgee. He was 150kgs and only 5ft 6. When he got in the C150 it was a sight to see.

Notwithstanding George was a sought after Instructor as he had the knack to making a pupil feel at home]

Slight thread drift here, but the mention of George has tickled my memory buds. Back in the day, more than a few hours were spent tucked in beside him, in either of the two C150s based at Mudgee in those days. It was a bit squeezy, but workable. He was a heck of a nice guy and I really learnt a lot from him...and Charlie P, when George was busy.

Hi Ben, I hesitated to comment as I'm not a 'gent'. :) Hope you've already found somewhere who has made you welcome. Lots of 'big' instructors around so as long as you don't want to fly a tiny plane I don't think you'll have too many problems. As someone else has already posted Kyneton would be a great place to learn. Cheers.

Yeah so this escalated quickly. Out of boredom, I started calling around a few places this morning. I got onto one mob at Moorabin called MFS and commenced my trial flight about 2 hours later.

I will say first and foremost that they were really helpful. They got me in a plane straight away to see how I fitted, making sure all controls were good and that I was comfortable before anything else. Captain was a young guy, very easy to get along with, explained everything clearly and even let me handle the take off!

I was in a Piper PA28 warrior, which served its purpose for the trial flight but realistically I wouldn't be able to undertake long term training in it. My head was into the roof and left knee jammed hard into the arm rest, especially when going left on the yolk. I was also reminded that my suffering of motion sickness isn't limited to being on water. My god those smaller planes move around a lot!

All in all, the whole experience was over pretty quick (that's what she said?), I tried to take in as much as possible but there was SO MUCH going on for a novice like me that my mental retention was minimal. From here I think I might keep looking around to find another school with a bigger plane and get a bit more time in the air to see if the motion sickness settles down a little.

Appreciate all the input guys, thanks again!

Definitely see if you can find a school with a Cirrus SR20 (or SR22 but that will cost a bit more).

They are very spacious aeroplanes and in my experience offer a much smoother ride than any Cessna 172 or Piper PA28.

Forget more time in the air to cure air sickness. You will be wasting your money. Simply visit your local chemist and ask for motion sickness pills. Read the instructions on the box. Pop one before you go flying and chances are you will have no further problems:ok:

The RAAF Officer Commanding at Butterworth, (Malaysia) during 1982 used to take a motion sickness pill before departing in a 3 Sqn Mirage for a one hour sortie. The aircraft would always return without any G forces recorded on the microfail counter...