On VRG, you have to move the knob to the left, so a large passenger can dislodge the trimmer. The usual problem is that many people seem to carry their wallet or mobile in their left trouser pocket. I check for this before take-off as well as giving the "leg-stroking" warning.
Michael ----- Original Message ----- From: John Mason To: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, April 08, 2009 4:12 PM Subject: Re: [DOG mailing list] Large thighs Strange. I think the most generous person might describe me as, um, 'well rounded' but I've never had this problem - I admit the trim handle is a bit close when I'm flying... John Mason GJD ----- Original Message ----- From: STO Airworthiness To: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, April 08, 2009 9:43 AM Subject: RE: [DOG mailing list] Large thighs Hi John, Does your trim have the gate on the right or the left of the knob? The gate in my aircraft requires the trim knob to be moved to the right to unlock it, thus a generously proportioned (must be careful with words here when referring to family members!!) person actually locks the trim rather firmly. For a large legged person's thigh to cause the trim to become unlocked they would need to be seated in the left seat, which would be unusual unless the person was undergoing formal instruction. Regards JGV Senior Technical Officer, Airworthiness GLIDING FEDERATION of AUSTRALIA INC. Please note my new e-mail address as of 23 Feb 2007: [email protected] ------------------------------------------------------ The Gliding Federation of Australia Inc. invites you to visit the web site www.gfa.org.au newcomers to gliding and soaring are invited to visit www.soaring.com.au ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This email transmission may contain confidential or privileged information that is intended only for the individual or entity named in the email address. If you are not the intended recipient, please be aware that any disclosure, copying, distribution or reliance upon the contents of this email is strictly prohibited ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: John [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, 7 April 2009 8:47 PM To: DOG Subject: [DOG mailing list] Large thighs Further to Macka's incident with the cadet with huge thighs I recently had a lady passenger with very large thighs. When she got in she sort of flowed ( overflowed ) into position. It was not a weight problem just size. The flight went well and was quite pleasent and I do recall saying I was just adjusting the trim and not playing with her leg. The approach and landing went well until the final flair when the nose shot up and the canopy filled with sky. Immediate application of power brought the nose over and I was able to land nearly normally. I could not understand what had gone wrong untill the lady got out and I saw that the trim was in the rearmost position. Her thigh had held the trim lever out of the rack and when I flared it flew back causing heavy load on the control column, something I had not anticipated. If it was to happen again I would know to apply more pressure on the stick. Another lesson learnt. Regards, John.
