Buckaroo Posted December 4, 2016 Report Share Posted December 4, 2016 I'm a new owner of a 2007 CTSW and so far am in love except for one thing. At 6'4" and old it's challenging getting in the plane. I seem to try it different techniques every time searching for the answer. Any techniques would be greatly appreciated! Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbigs Posted December 4, 2016 Report Share Posted December 4, 2016 I'm a new owner of a 2007 CTSW and so far am in love except for one thing. At 6'4" and old it's challenging getting in the plane. I seem to try it different techniques every time searching for the answer. Any techniques would be greatly appreciated! Dave You are max height and size for the plane. You may never find an easy way to to it. The standard way is to sit in the seat first from a standing position outside then swing your legs in. You will of course need to have the seat already all the way back on the slides. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckaroo Posted December 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 4, 2016 I found I have to get my head in first while backing up to the seat. After I lose 40 pounds it should get easier!???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckaroo Posted December 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 4, 2016 Good for you Skycatcher! I bought this plane knowing I would have to lose weight in order to really enjoy her. I am motivated as never before to lose 40 lbs. I have to do this and my wife's dieting as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrnflyr Posted December 4, 2016 Report Share Posted December 4, 2016 I'm 6'4" too and I'd back into the seat, grab the upper crossbar, sit on seat and swivel my legs inside the plane. About the only way I could do it. Roomy after you get in. Even better than the 182 room wise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckaroo Posted December 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2016 May I ask how much do you weigh? I'm kinda robust and portly but this can be fixed!???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrnflyr Posted December 5, 2016 Report Share Posted December 5, 2016 I was a beefy at 230lbs back then. I think age has a lot to do with it too, I was 50-52 when I owned mine. Just remember, you could be trying to get into a sling chair in the back of a Cub! People may disagree with me but I looked at a lot of LSA's back then and the CT was about the only option roomwise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted December 5, 2016 Report Share Posted December 5, 2016 Buckaroo, with your height do you find the spar passthrough box to be in your line of sight? I'm 6'1" and the box is not in my way but to see through the top of the windshield I do have to lean forward a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckaroo Posted December 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2016 No the box is no problem at all. I must say that once I'm in I'm quite comfortable in all respects. The non existent seat pad now has a gel pad on top that works well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted December 5, 2016 Report Share Posted December 5, 2016 No the box is no problem at all. I must say that once I'm in I'm quite comfortable in all respects. The non existent seat pad now has a gel pad on top that works well. The biggest problem I have with the seats is a lack of lumbar support. I bought a pair of these, secured under the leather seat covers and velcroed to the seat pans. They are in-flight adjustable with inflation bulb, work great. http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/pspages/inflatelumbar.php?clickkey=1186020 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckaroo Posted December 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2016 Those look pretty good. The seller gave me these very light webbed back rests but I haven't tried them yet. I'm still waiting to get a flight instructor over here for a check out and biannual. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frfly172 Posted December 5, 2016 Report Share Posted December 5, 2016 The older we get the harder to get in And out of an aircraft cockpit. Being 5 ' 10" and just under 200 size is not a problem,it's the old bones, like the ct's would rather step up into the airplane and slide out. If you want to fly you'll find a comfortable way ,and the Ct line will fill the bill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckaroo Posted December 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2016 Yes right now I wish I was 6 foot and 160 lbs. I am so driven to do this I will do whatever it takes. I already lost 4 lbs in two weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbigs Posted December 5, 2016 Report Share Posted December 5, 2016 Yes right now I wish I was 6 foot and 160 lbs. I am so driven to do this I will do whatever it takes. I already lost 4 lbs in two weeks. Just don't modify the seat shell (the carbon fiber part of the seat) or the straps that hold the seat off the deck; they are designed to absorb forces if the chute is pulled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckaroo Posted December 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2016 The only modifing I'm doing is me! Lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted December 6, 2016 Report Share Posted December 6, 2016 Those look pretty good. The seller gave me these very light webbed back rests but I haven't tried them yet. I'm still waiting to get a flight instructor over here for a check out and biannual. I've used those as well, they work okay but over time the mesh stretches and they lose support. Another option is the Mueller back brace you can get at many pharmacies: https://www.amazon.com/Mueller-Adjustable-Lumbar-Back-Brace/dp/B000P616M0/ref=sr_1_4_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1481040130&sr=8-4&keywords=mueller+adjustable+back+brace When I'm flying legs more than 3 hours or so, or multiple long legs in one day, the combination of the inflatable lumbar support and the Mueller brace works very well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted December 6, 2016 Report Share Posted December 6, 2016 Yes right now I wish I was 6 foot and 160 lbs. I am so driven to do this I will do whatever it takes. I already lost 4 lbs in two weeks. How are you going to lose 4" in height? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckaroo Posted December 6, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2016 I'm getting shorter with age! Lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbigs Posted December 6, 2016 Report Share Posted December 6, 2016 I'm getting shorter with age! Lol You can also sell the SW and get a bigger plane. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Baker Posted December 6, 2016 Report Share Posted December 6, 2016 You can also sell the SW and get a bigger plane. Bigger plane does not always equal easier to get into. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckaroo Posted December 6, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2016 I love my new CT so much I'll cut my legs off and have my wife toss me on the seat!???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandpiper Posted December 7, 2016 Report Share Posted December 7, 2016 I love my new CT so much I'll cut my legs off and have my wife toss me on the seat! Don't get carried away!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Lee Posted December 7, 2016 Report Share Posted December 7, 2016 I prefer synthetic over petroleum grease. Just apply in specific places and you'll slide right in. I'm not a little guy as some will tell you and I slide in and out of many CT's per year. I always grab the bar in front of the spar box, head and shoulders in first, put my hand on the console between the seats and then slide my rear end up over the door edge and onto the seat. p.s. Do not wipe extra grease off here as it helps on exit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckaroo Posted December 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2016 Here I just got my chain saw running! I'll give those suggestions a try! Thanks! All I'm doing is hanger flying waiting for my CFI guy to sign me off after a few hours of air work and touch and goes. The trouble is it 5 below zero and wind chill of 26 below. I'm not flying her until it back up in the mid 20's. I ran a strip of aluminum tape across the radiator. I wonder if she would ever get to 124 degrees in temperatures of 5 to 15 degrees? I once rode my Harley when it was 15 degrees and it never did warm up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted December 7, 2016 Report Share Posted December 7, 2016 Buckaroo, does your CFI have some CT experience? The CT does not land and fly exactly like other airplanes, particularly heavier ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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