Kevin, I have an Airtex interior in my Ecoupe and a 6-4 friend of mine has to bend his neck to ride in it. We usually fly with the windows open so he can be comfortable. I guess some of the older interiors are lower (the home-made one I replaced was a lot lower than the Airtex).
As has already been written, the gross weight problem is largest. If you have an 850 pound 415C with the 1260 limit, that leaves only 410 pounds for fuel and people and luggage. Fuel is 144 pounds, leaving 266. That's you and a big 16 pounds of everything else. With the 1320 STC you now have 76 pounds available, for luggage or a kid. I weighed 210 when I got my pilots license. Now, though, I'm a "typical" 40s pilot - 5-7 and 160 pounds, so I don't know the trials of being tall. Also, unless there is convincing reason (like getting a medical) for getting a sport pilot license, I would recommend gettng the full private. You get a lot more training, and even when flying while exercising the privileges of a sport pilot, you don't need all the signoffs you would need as a person holding a sport pilot certificate. I worry about people out there getting a sport pilot license with minimal time and no real airspace experience... If you have to go sport, I'd recommend just planning on getting the class C and D endorsements, and getting some extra training. Just my thoughts! Your needs may be different. ---- Kevin O'Donnell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Hello All, > > I am in the process of getting my Sport Pilot License. As I start > considering the types of aircraft I would like to own, an Ercoupe is > high on the list. > However, I am a fairly large fellow ( 6'2" 250 lbs) and it has been > suggested I contact an Ercoupe owner who would be willing to let me > "try one on for size". I live in Southeastern Massachusetts and of > course would be willing to travel to meet an Ercoupe owner hopefully > close by. > > I would be mainly interested to find out if I can fit comfortably (or > a close as possible) while having full elevator control and enough > headroom to be safe. If anyone can accommodate, lunch is on me! > > Kevin O'Donnell >
