• Competitive motorgliders for tall people

    From Rob@21:1/5 to All on Sat Jul 30 10:33:51 2022
    I'm currently flying a Genesis 2, and I'm looking into purchasing something with a motor that I can fit in and preferably flapped. I'm 6'7" and about 240-245 lbs cockpit weight. Ideally, I'm looking for either a forever glider, or a good interim
    competition ship that's preferably 15 - 18m.

    I was able to fit in a Discus 2cFES rather comfortably, but I would prefer a flapped ship for contest flying. I was told that I could fit in a "non-a" Ventus 2cx because it's the same cockpit as a D2cFES. Can't find one for sale - the one on W&W is sold.
    I liked the D2C that's for sale on W&W for 199k, but it has no motor, and that's more than a brand new HPH Shark with any motor combo.

    Two other options under consideration is putting money down on a JS2. I cannot fit in a JS1 or JS3, but I'm told I can fit in a JS2 as it's a bigger cockpit. A good friend is waiting on a JS2, and has been for years. He's practically being ghosted right
    now. Big turnoff, but I like the ship. No 15m option though.

    Another option under consideration is a HPH Shark provided I can fit in it. I understand it's tall-pilot-friendly, but.... never know until I try to fold my tall self in it. The other plus is the delivery date can be very reasonable. I don't see too many
    flying in contests which is my goal, so that's a question mark.

    What says the peanut gallery?

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From stephen.szikora.t3@gmail.com@21:1/5 to Rob on Sat Jul 30 12:11:12 2022
    On Saturday, July 30, 2022 at 1:33:52 PM UTC-4, Rob wrote:
    I'm currently flying a Genesis 2, and I'm looking into purchasing something with a motor that I can fit in and preferably flapped. I'm 6'7" and about 240-245 lbs cockpit weight. Ideally, I'm looking for either a forever glider, or a good interim
    competition ship that's preferably 15 - 18m.

    I was able to fit in a Discus 2cFES rather comfortably, but I would prefer a flapped ship for contest flying. I was told that I could fit in a "non-a" Ventus 2cx because it's the same cockpit as a D2cFES. Can't find one for sale - the one on W&W is
    sold. I liked the D2C that's for sale on W&W for 199k, but it has no motor, and that's more than a brand new HPH Shark with any motor combo.

    Two other options under consideration is putting money down on a JS2. I cannot fit in a JS1 or JS3, but I'm told I can fit in a JS2 as it's a bigger cockpit. A good friend is waiting on a JS2, and has been for years. He's practically being ghosted
    right now. Big turnoff, but I like the ship. No 15m option though.

    Another option under consideration is a HPH Shark provided I can fit in it. I understand it's tall-pilot-friendly, but.... never know until I try to fold my tall self in it. The other plus is the delivery date can be very reasonable. I don't see too
    many flying in contests which is my goal, so that's a question mark.

    What says the peanut gallery?
    I’m surprised you fit in the Discus. I’m 6’4” and the same weight as you and tried a friend’s Discus 2ct. Headroom was barely adequate with no chute on and shoulder room was tight.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Mark Mocho@21:1/5 to All on Sat Jul 30 12:42:40 2022
    Sawzall.

    Kidding of course.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From 5Z@21:1/5 to Rob on Sat Jul 30 19:18:34 2022
    On Saturday, July 30, 2022 at 10:33:52 AM UTC-7, Rob wrote:
    I'm currently flying a Genesis 2, and I'm looking into purchasing something with a motor that I can fit in and preferably flapped. I'm 6'7" and about 240-245 lbs cockpit weight. Ideally, I'm looking for either a forever glider, or a good interim
    competition ship that's preferably 15 - 18m.

    ASH-26E without the seatback.

    5Z

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From stephen.szikora.t3@gmail.com@21:1/5 to All on Sun Jul 31 05:00:30 2022
    On Saturday, July 30, 2022 at 10:18:35 PM UTC-4, 5Z wrote:
    On Saturday, July 30, 2022 at 10:33:52 AM UTC-7, Rob wrote:
    I'm currently flying a Genesis 2, and I'm looking into purchasing something with a motor that I can fit in and preferably flapped. I'm 6'7" and about 240-245 lbs cockpit weight. Ideally, I'm looking for either a forever glider, or a good interim
    competition ship that's preferably 15 - 18m.
    ASH-26E without the seatback.

    5Z
    If the ASH-26E is a good option for you, there is one for sale right now at my club in Canada (Toronto Soaring Club.)

    https://wingsandwheels.com/classifieds/motorgliders/schleicher-ash-26e1655747556.html

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Rob@21:1/5 to All on Sun Jul 31 05:06:35 2022
    I tried to fold myself in the ASH-31 with no luck. I can give rides in the ASK-21 only from the back seat - can't do the front seat. That's why I've given up on Schleicher ships.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From John Galloway@21:1/5 to Rob on Sun Jul 31 09:06:41 2022
    On Sunday, 31 July 2022 at 13:06:37 UTC+1, Rob wrote:
    I tried to fold myself in the ASH-31 with no luck. I can give rides in the ASK-21 only from the back seat - can't do the front seat. That's why I've given up on Schleicher ships.

    You could try a JS3, some pretty tall pilots fit in them and the cockpit is a lot more roomy than it looks from the outside. 18/15m too.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From 5Z@21:1/5 to Rob on Sun Jul 31 09:19:36 2022
    On Sunday, July 31, 2022 at 5:06:37 AM UTC-7, Rob wrote:
    I tried to fold myself in the ASH-31 with no luck. I can give rides in the ASK-21 only from the back seat - can't do the front seat. That's why I've given up on Schleicher ships.

    Did you remove the seat backrest in the 31?

    5Z

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Rob@21:1/5 to jpg...@gmail.com on Mon Aug 1 08:09:12 2022
    On Sunday, July 31, 2022 at 11:06:43 AM UTC-5, jpg...@gmail.com wrote:
    On Sunday, 31 July 2022 at 13:06:37 UTC+1, Rob wrote:
    I tried to fold myself in the ASH-31 with no luck. I can give rides in the ASK-21 only from the back seat - can't do the front seat. That's why I've given up on Schleicher ships.
    You could try a JS3, some pretty tall pilots fit in them and the cockpit is a lot more roomy than it looks from the outside. 18/15m too.

    Tried it. Couldn't make it work due to panel. The factory now says 6'4". They're also saying JS2 is good up to 6'8".

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Rob@21:1/5 to All on Mon Aug 1 08:09:29 2022
    On Sunday, July 31, 2022 at 11:19:38 AM UTC-5, 5Z wrote:
    On Sunday, July 31, 2022 at 5:06:37 AM UTC-7, Rob wrote:
    I tried to fold myself in the ASH-31 with no luck. I can give rides in the ASK-21 only from the back seat - can't do the front seat. That's why I've given up on Schleicher ships.
    Did you remove the seat backrest in the 31?

    5Z

    Yep. No luck.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Jonathan St. Cloud@21:1/5 to Rob on Mon Aug 1 12:46:52 2022
    On Monday, August 1, 2022 at 8:09:14 AM UTC-7, Rob wrote:
    On Sunday, July 31, 2022 at 11:06:43 AM UTC-5, jpg...@gmail.com wrote:
    On Sunday, 31 July 2022 at 13:06:37 UTC+1, Rob wrote:
    I tried to fold myself in the ASH-31 with no luck. I can give rides in the ASK-21 only from the back seat - can't do the front seat. That's why I've given up on Schleicher ships.
    You could try a JS3, some pretty tall pilots fit in them and the cockpit is a lot more roomy than it looks from the outside. 18/15m too.
    Tried it. Couldn't make it work due to panel. The factory now says 6'4". They're also saying JS2 is good up to 6'8".
    All Factories say pretty much anything they think the clients want to hear. Fit in a glider is VERY individual. Some have long torsos, short legs, others have long legs short torsos, etc. The only way to tell if you will fit in a glider is to
    sit in it with chute and then close the canopy!!! I once many years ago purchased a glider from a larger man than I. I tried everything, I could not get the canopy closed with me in it and chute on! I am 6 ft 190 pounds. I do not fit into most SH
    gliders, but I have seen people up to 6'3" fit into an A model SH. There is a story I heard about a famous now passed on pilot buying an early LS-6 that he had sat in at the factory before the installation of a canopy. When it arrived in the US
    finished, he did not fit, and he had owned a number of A model SH gliders. As I understand the JS-2 is still an ASH-26 fuselage. The internals might be different and the fit. Try on, before you buy. I tried the fit of a Ventus 3, didn't fit, although I
    could get more of me in it than I could an older A model.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Ross@21:1/5 to All on Mon Aug 1 21:55:16 2022
    Would you be interested in a D2c if it was considerably cheaper than the one advertised? No motor though

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Rob@21:1/5 to Ross on Mon Aug 1 23:33:25 2022
    On Monday, August 1, 2022 at 11:55:17 PM UTC-5, Ross wrote:
    Would you be interested in a D2c if it was considerably cheaper than the one advertised? No motor though

    Possibly. What do you have?

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From John Galloway@21:1/5 to jonatha...@gmail.com on Tue Aug 2 02:56:39 2022
    On Monday, 1 August 2022 at 20:46:54 UTC+1, jonatha...@gmail.com wrote:
    On Monday, August 1, 2022 at 8:09:14 AM UTC-7, Rob wrote:
    On Sunday, July 31, 2022 at 11:06:43 AM UTC-5, jpg...@gmail.com wrote:
    On Sunday, 31 July 2022 at 13:06:37 UTC+1, Rob wrote:
    I tried to fold myself in the ASH-31 with no luck. I can give rides in the ASK-21 only from the back seat - can't do the front seat. That's why I've given up on Schleicher ships.
    You could try a JS3, some pretty tall pilots fit in them and the cockpit is a lot more roomy than it looks from the outside. 18/15m too.
    Tried it. Couldn't make it work due to panel. The factory now says 6'4". They're also saying JS2 is good up to 6'8".
    All Factories say pretty much anything they think the clients want to hear. Fit in a glider is VERY individual. Some have long torsos, short legs, others have long legs short torsos, etc. The only way to tell if you will fit in a glider is to
    sit in it with chute and then close the canopy!!! I once many years ago purchased a glider from a larger man than I. I tried everything, I could not get the canopy closed with me in it and chute on! I am 6 ft 190 pounds. I do not fit into most SH
    gliders, but I have seen people up to 6'3" fit into an A model SH. There is a story I heard about a famous now passed on pilot buying an early LS-6 that he had sat in at the factory before the installation of a canopy. When it arrived in the US finished,
    he did not fit, and he had owned a number of A model SH gliders. As I understand the JS-2 is still an ASH-26 fuselage. The internals might be different and the fit. Try on, before you buy. I tried the fit of a Ventus 3, didn't fit, although I could get
    more of me in it than I could an older A model.

    The JS1 is derived from the ASH 26 fuselage. The JS2 fuselage looks Schleicher-ish but is entirely new. On the JS FB post 30th Aug 2020 they claim a 115kg pilot exceeding 2m should fit but it is of course highly individual.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From John Ackerson@21:1/5 to All on Tue Aug 2 11:50:04 2022
    Try a DG-808C. Not the best racing machine but one of the best self launch systems developed. I fly a dg-800S because that is all I fit in. I have a super long back and It relines a lot so my tall back can fit. I don't fit well in any other single
    place ships. A DG-1001 Self launch is amazing but very expensive too.
    John

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From bumper@21:1/5 to All on Tue Aug 2 20:40:11 2022
    Rob,

    Where is your length? There can be different "fixes" for long legs vs long torso, and make adjustments to take away excess room for legs to obtain more room for torso, and visa versa. Of course if both are tight once you clamber in, then options diminish
    rapidly. They need taller folk designing gliders.

    What worked for me in both the Stemme S10-VT and ASH26E, where I had leg room to spare but little headroom, I did by getting the body more recumbent. To include dropping seat back and moving the seat back bottom forward. This included fitting a wedge
    pack parachute made thicker at the bottom,. Then by removing seat bottom padding where the chute will sit on the under pan that allowed the thinner part of the chute pack to be lower so upper torso could lean back further still. Lower thigh and calves
    get thicker memory foam pads under to further support body weight and help take weight off tailbone. All of this gets the noggin lower and, done right, is quite comfortable.

    bumper

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From stephen.szikora.t3@gmail.com@21:1/5 to bumper on Tue Aug 2 21:20:48 2022
    On Tuesday, August 2, 2022 at 11:40:13 PM UTC-4, bumper wrote:
    Rob,

    Where is your length? There can be different "fixes" for long legs vs long torso, and make adjustments to take away excess room for legs to obtain more room for torso, and visa versa. Of course if both are tight once you clamber in, then options
    diminish rapidly. They need taller folk designing gliders.

    What worked for me in both the Stemme S10-VT and ASH26E, where I had leg room to spare but little headroom, I did by getting the body more recumbent. To include dropping seat back and moving the seat back bottom forward. This included fitting a wedge
    pack parachute made thicker at the bottom,. Then by removing seat bottom padding where the chute will sit on the under pan that allowed the thinner part of the chute pack to be lower so upper torso could lean back further still. Lower thigh and calves
    get thicker memory foam pads under to further support body weight and help take weight off tailbone. All of this gets the noggin lower and, done right, is quite comfortable.

    bumper
    As someone in Rob’s situation, I can say having tried much of what you describe, it is possible to end up in a situation where reach becomes a problem. It seem odd but a tall person can become so recumbent that he can’t reach the panel or the release!

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Rob@21:1/5 to All on Fri Aug 5 17:09:41 2022
    I'm pretty balanced, though I'm a tad taller in torso. My inseam is 36. I tried LS-8, couldn't do it. DG-300 couldn't make it work. Tried sitting in a buddy's DG800 self launcher, nope.

    Still trying to sit in a few gliders and decide. I'm also still keeping an eye on the used market for a S-H bird like a V2cxT or a D2cFES or T.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Dan Marotta@21:1/5 to Rob on Sat Aug 6 08:11:03 2022
    Stemme. And you can take a friend.

    Dan
    5J

    On 8/5/22 18:09, Rob wrote:
    I'm pretty balanced, though I'm a tad taller in torso. My inseam is 36. I tried LS-8, couldn't do it. DG-300 couldn't make it work. Tried sitting in a buddy's DG800 self launcher, nope.

    Still trying to sit in a few gliders and decide. I'm also still keeping an eye on the used market for a S-H bird like a V2cxT or a D2cFES or T.


    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Mark Mocho@21:1/5 to All on Sat Aug 6 07:37:14 2022
    Stemme. And you can take a friend.

    He asked about "competitive" gliders. The Stemme performs fairly well, but judging by contest results, it just doesn't cut it.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Rob@21:1/5 to All on Sat Oct 29 09:48:13 2022
    Tried a brand new JS-3 a couple weeks back - definitely no dice. What a bummer!

    Still haven't tried HPH Shark. Can't find one within reasonable distance from me to see how I fit.
    Interested in a GP15 JETA, but still haven't tried sitting in it. Was interested in SN002 that's already in the US, but starting to lose interest due to various reasons.

    Is anyone out there considering selling their Discus 2cFES or cT? Or maybe Ventus 2cT or cxT? I've already reached out about the one in Canada on W&W and the seller has a buyer at his club already. Anyone?

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Clay@21:1/5 to Rob on Sun Oct 30 07:59:31 2022
    On Saturday, October 29, 2022 at 12:48:15 PM UTC-4, Rob wrote:
    Tried a brand new JS-3 a couple weeks back - definitely no dice. What a bummer!

    Still haven't tried HPH Shark. Can't find one within reasonable distance from me to see how I fit.
    Interested in a GP15 JETA, but still haven't tried sitting in it. Was interested in SN002 that's already in the US, but starting to lose interest due to various reasons.

    Is anyone out there considering selling their Discus 2cFES or cT? Or maybe Ventus 2cT or cxT? I've already reached out about the one in Canada on W&W and the seller has a buyer at his club already. Anyone?

    I have a Shark, I'm 6'5" with a 33/34 inseam. You might fit. Glider is in the NE if you want to try it on.

    Clay

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Rob@21:1/5 to Clay on Tue Nov 1 09:48:55 2022
    On Sunday, October 30, 2022 at 9:59:33 AM UTC-5, Clay wrote:
    On Saturday, October 29, 2022 at 12:48:15 PM UTC-4, Rob wrote:
    Tried a brand new JS-3 a couple weeks back - definitely no dice. What a bummer!

    Still haven't tried HPH Shark. Can't find one within reasonable distance from me to see how I fit.
    Interested in a GP15 JETA, but still haven't tried sitting in it. Was interested in SN002 that's already in the US, but starting to lose interest due to various reasons.

    Is anyone out there considering selling their Discus 2cFES or cT? Or maybe Ventus 2cT or cxT? I've already reached out about the one in Canada on W&W and the seller has a buyer at his club already. Anyone?
    I have a Shark, I'm 6'5" with a 33/34 inseam. You might fit. Glider is in the NE if you want to try it on.

    Clay

    Thank you Clay. Whereabouts?

    Rob

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Charlie M. (UH & 002 owner/pilot)@21:1/5 to Rob on Tue Nov 1 10:47:45 2022
    On Tuesday, November 1, 2022 at 12:48:57 PM UTC-4, Rob wrote:
    On Sunday, October 30, 2022 at 9:59:33 AM UTC-5, Clay wrote:
    On Saturday, October 29, 2022 at 12:48:15 PM UTC-4, Rob wrote:
    Tried a brand new JS-3 a couple weeks back - definitely no dice. What a bummer!

    Still haven't tried HPH Shark. Can't find one within reasonable distance from me to see how I fit.
    Interested in a GP15 JETA, but still haven't tried sitting in it. Was interested in SN002 that's already in the US, but starting to lose interest due to various reasons.

    Is anyone out there considering selling their Discus 2cFES or cT? Or maybe Ventus 2cT or cxT? I've already reached out about the one in Canada on W&W and the seller has a buyer at his club already. Anyone?
    I have a Shark, I'm 6'5" with a 33/34 inseam. You might fit. Glider is in the NE if you want to try it on.

    Clay
    Thank you Clay. Whereabouts?

    Rob
    SE NY, not far from NYC.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)