Accommodating a larger pilot
My flight school uses Piper Warriors, and one of the new students is a really large man. The seatbelt and harness are at their limits, and he's physically very uncomfortable in the airplane. Is there anything I can do to make him more comfortable in the aircraft? What affordable general aviation airplanes might be more accommodating for a person of his size? Thanks!
Kenneth
Greetings Kenneth:
Hmmm, I suspect you've already considered a seat belt extension, right? The most obvious solution is to find the most comfortable airplane available in which he can train. The next solution (which isn't my favorite by any means) is to consider setting him up with the smallest flight instructor at the airport. Sometimes a Hardy is best paired with a Laurel. On the other hand, you might consider moving your seat as far forward as possible and his as far aft as possible. This might shift the beltlines and make it, overall, a bit more comfortable for each of you. Once he's graduated and can choose any aircraft, have him consider the Rockwell Commander 112/114. It has some of the widest cockpit space of any single-engine airplane I've seen.
Older pilot concerns
Dear Rod:
I'm an older pilot (71 years) and regularly fly my Cessna 210 on business and pleasure trips. I'm very comfortable in the airplane, but have begun noticing that I'm slowing down a bit. Specifically, I'm getting behind the airplane when operating on an IFR flight plan. Flying VFR isn't a problem. My memory is fine, and according to my family doctors I'm mentally fit and healthy for my age. I keep instrument current with a safety pilot and the yearly (insurance mandated) instrument proficiency check with an instructor. I don't feel unsafe, but I'm starting to worry about my performance. Can you shed any insights on what I might do to handle this concern?
Sincerely,
Anonymous
Greetings Mr. Anonymous:
Yours is an honest admission to something that older folks seldom feel comfortable admitting. We get slower as we get older. This is why you don't see too many 70-year-old boxers in Las Vegas or 70-year-old sprinters in the Olympics. This doesn't mean that you can't fly an airplane safely, at least up to a certain point where your performance just won't meet the demands of the environment in which you operate.
I'm reminded of a friend who flew many years ago as copilot on a Boeing 747 for Flying Tiger airlines. He was flying with a senior captain who, during vectoring in the terminal area for an approach, looked over and said, "John, tell the controller we're slowing down 20 knots."
My friend replied, "Yes sir, but just in case he wants to know why we're slowing down, what should I say?"
The captain replied, "Tell him I need time to think."
The captain's response holds the best solution for your problem. You're probably flying a Cessna 210 at the upper end of its performance envelope. That means you're flying fast. There is no rule that you must fly your machine fast. After all, the faster you fly, the greater the demand on you mentally--especially during an approach, when approaching a mandatory holding limit, et cetera. Turn your Cessna 210 into a Cessna 182 by using your airplane conversion lever, also known as the throttle. Perhaps slowing down by 10 or 20 knots will put you in equilibrium with the demands of your airplane. If that doesn't work, then turn your airplane into a Cessna 172 by slowing down further.
Then again, sometimes life also requires us to confront our limitations. It's entirely possible that the Cessna 210 is too much airplane for you now. There is a limit on how far you can slow down in this airplane. It may be more reasonable for you to consider purchasing an airplane that's less demanding of your time and energy. A Cessna 182 might be a good step in the right direction. You'll have to make this call on your own, and it won't necessarily be an easy one to make.
A CFI's gofer
Dear Rod:
One year ago, I finished my private pilot certificate. When I started, the flight school consisted of about 10 students and one instructor. The main CFI is a longtime family friend and was undoubtedly the only person I would learn to fly with.
My concern is that over the course of time, flight training was starting to end up being more than flight training. It got to the point where I would finish a lesson, then run errands for my CFI. I understand that it is all a part of giving back to him and the airport, but the tasks were anything but aviation-related. I always will be his friend, but I don't know how many more times I can do his chores. It also got to the point where if I could not complete a task for him, he would in a sense get even with me in the air.
I'm unsure if I want to continue training with this instructor. The problem is, though everyone says he's a pain, they also say he's the best instructor they've seen in these parts. Should I risk losing an incredible CFI because I am tired of being his slave, or do I need to stick it out and take advantage of what I have?
Sincerely,
Lew
Greetings Lew:
Here's my take on your situation. Either your CFI feels that you owe him more than he's presently being compensated, or he's just taking advantage of you, and doing so with your cooperation. Is he charging you less than the other students, or perhaps nothing at all? If this is the case, then you've learned a valuable lesson: Nothing is free in life.
I'm assuming you haven't volunteered to do these chores as a bonus for his excellent service. In consenting to doing his chores, you've taught him to treat you as a gofer.
If your instructor is not being fully compensated in monetary terms, offer to pay him the going rate for instruction. Tell him that you appreciate his reduced fee in exchange for your help with his chores, but time constraints now make this arrangement impractical.
If he's charging you the same amount as other students, then he's clearly taking advantage of you, and you've let him do it. You can tell him you won't do any more chores, but it's obvious that he'll respond negatively (as you've indicated he's already done). The only practical solution in this instance is to find another instructor. It's better to move on than to experience the disturbing cockpit emotional baggage that results from your instructor feeling he's been wronged or dissed.
Rod Machado is a flight instructor, author, educator, and speaker. A pilot since 1970 and a CFI since 1973, he has flown more than 8,000 hours and is part owner of a Cessna P210. Visit his Web site.
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