150/152 max size for student/CFI

Rotor2Wing

Rotor2Wing

Unapologetically American
I know comfort is not going to be great unless your 5'6" and 150lbs but whats about the size limit to be able to fly 2 pilots. I have never even sat in a 150/152 but at 6'3" 240lbs would it even be worth the attempt? I have flown about 15hrs in a DA20 if that compares. Comfort aside would the W+B ever work out with a guy my size?
 
I'm 5'10" and run 190-200# and I'm totally comfortable in a 150 and I dont put the seat all the way back.

I've flown with 6'2" guys and they just put the seat all the way back. Older bigger guys just complain about getting in and out, but once in have not complained for a 1-2 hour flight. Do need to throw an arm over the back seat if there are two guys with big shoulders. Very old 150's did have a narrower cockpit, I "think" it was around '65 when they widened the cockpit another couple inches, not sure on the date though.

At 6'3" and 230# you'd just have to try it, different body builds seem to fit differently, but you are definitely going to be at the edge of the comfort limit.

Mine is 1060 empty, with a 1600 lb gross. 140lb for full fuel (standard tanks). That leaves about 400lbs for people, so I generally leave mine at 3/4 fuel which saves a little weight. It's not going anywhere fast at gross, but then again it's not going anywhere fast lightly loaded either.

Went to do spins last week in mine and we were about 25# under gross. At 65° F we took off in about 1200' and climbed at 400 FPM to about 6,500' and probably 350 FPM to 8,000'. Worked out just fine, and at 5 gallons per hour fuel burn... pretty hard to complain when it comes time to stop at the fuel pump ;o)

I did do one longer X/C under the hood in mine and we took off at gross in about 85°F (3000' pressure) one late afternoon and it was interesting...a good 3000' ground roll and accelerating in ground effect and a slowwwww steady climb after that. I wouldn't want to do that all the time, but we had the runway for it and dropping temps as it was the start of evening.
 
rframe said:
I'm 5'10" and run 190-200# and I'm totally comfortable in a 150 and I dont put the seat all the way back.

I've flown with 6'2" guys and they just put the seat all the way back. Older bigger guys just complain about getting in and out, but once in have not complained for a 1-2 hour flight. Do need to throw an arm over the back seat if there are two guys with big shoulders. Very old 150's did have a narrower cockpit, I "think" it was around '65 when they widened the cockpit another couple inches, not sure on the date though.

At 6'3" and 230# you'd just have to try it, different body builds seem to fit differently, but you are definitely going to be at the edge of the comfort limit.

Mine is 1060 empty, with a 1600 lb gross. 140lb for full fuel (standard tanks). That leaves about 400lbs for people, so I generally leave mine at 3/4 fuel which saves a little weight. It's not going anywhere fast at gross, but then again it's not going anywhere fast lightly loaded either.

Went to do spins last week in mine and we were about 25# under gross. At 65° F we took off in about 1200' and climbed at 400 FPM to about 6,500' and probably 350 FPM to 8,000'. Worked out just fine, and at 5 gallons per hour fuel burn... pretty hard to complain when it comes time to stop at the fuel pump ;o)

I did do one longer X/C under the hood in mine and we took off at gross in about 85°F (3000' pressure) one late afternoon and it was interesting...a good 3000' ground roll and accelerating in ground effect and a slowwwww steady climb after that. I wouldn't want to do that all the time, but we had the runway for it and dropping temps as it was the start of evening.
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Well I'd fall in the wide shoulder dept. Most of my weight is from amateur body building not beer drinking:) My shoulders and upper leg size has always been an issue getting in smaller things!
 
You will want to get a "Fuel Hawk" for a 152 and ensure your fuel load before each flight. Hopefully the fuelers at your location will understand when you call them out for 2 gallons/side.
 
I'm 6'3 and 165 LBS and have over 300 hours of 150 time. Not the most comfortable bird and I could never go full fuel with a passenger, but it got the job done.
 
I am 6'3" and 290lbs and I 'fit' fine in the 140/150/152 line. Getting someone else in there with me is when things get tricky. haha
 
6' 2" here, no problem fitting in a 152 with the seat most of the way back. The seat is level with the floor in the 152 rather than being raised up, and the height adjustability is minimal. This creates an ideal situation for us tall guys since we can stretch our legs out forward under the panel while still being able to see over the glareshield. I've noticed a lot of shorter people need to sit on a pillow to see over the instrument panel in 152s, who would otherwise be raised up enough in their seat to do so normally in a 172 or larger. Expect to rub shoulders with whoever is next to you.
 
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