Big Pilot... Questions

mrpennies · February 8th, 2007, 15:44

Hey all .. First post!!!!!

I am 6'4" 290 LBS.. Will I fit in the right or left seat? I have so many people telling me "you're to big, you won't make it" I want to hear from some of the pros... :-) Also I am being told that the big boy pilots and airlines don’t like to see that you as a prospective right seater came from ATP.. Is this true? Am I going to waste my money because of my size and where I would like to go to school?

I hope to be at the 275 mark by the time I apply for a regional.. I also wonder if it is worth it.. I have 2 kids and a wife.. How much will I be away from them during my first year at a regional..

Thanks for the advise..

jtrain609 · February 8th, 2007, 15:47

I think when I met Seggy he was 6'5" and 320 lbs. of pure ass kicking fury and he was giving instruction in Cessna 172's.

amorris311 · February 8th, 2007, 15:58

dude im 6'3" used to be 325 lbs now around 290. i had the same questions and for the most part it seems that it can be done but just in a bigger plane. those 152's are for the shrimps!

def not for us.

Andrew_VT · February 8th, 2007, 16:12

Seeing as how airlines are so concerned with weight, removing coffee makers, electronic flight bags, ect. Would management ever look at a 300lb pilot and say this guy is going to cost us an extra xx pounds of fuel a flight, or xxx pounds a week, xxxx a month, and xxxxx pounds a year, essentially costing the airline twice his salary! If we truely are just numbers to them this cant be far fetched. Does this happen?

jtrain609 · February 8th, 2007, 16:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew_VT

Seeing as how airlines are so concerned with weight, removing coffee makers, electronic flight bags, ect. Would management ever look at a 300lb pilot and say this guy is going to cost us an extra xx pounds of fuel a flight, or xxx pounds a week, xxxx a month, and xxxxx pounds a year, essentially costing the airline twice his salary! If we truely are just numbers to them this cant be far fetched. Does this happen?

Didn't happen with Segs, and he's a seriously huge dude.

Seggy · February 8th, 2007, 16:23

Welcome to jetcareers! I am 6'5 and used to be 315 pounds when I got my PPL (I played football in college), purly in Cessna 172. I dropped the weight to 240 when I 'retired' and am currently 240 pounds or so. I even flew the Cessna 150 for a few hours giving instruction.

If you see someone that says "you are to big to be a pilot." Kick their a$$. At one time I was discouraged because some piece of toilet paper told me this. YOUR SIZE DOES NOT MATTER. I fly one of the smallest planes in commercial airline service and do not have a problem, even though it is quite comical to see me get in and out of the seat!

Seriously, though, look to drop to 240 pounds. It will be much more healthy for you.

Andrew that will not happen.

Your time away from home will vary greatly depending what place you are at.

Andrew_VT · February 8th, 2007, 16:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seggy

Andrew that will not happen.

Good to hear that the bean counters haven't totally taken over the world yet. The other side of that arguement (in my head anyway) would be discrimination lawsuits.

mrpennies · February 8th, 2007, 19:19

Thanks guys...

I know i can fit into a 172 (I got my PVT SEL in the 172) Just did not know how much more or less room a RJ had. I'm just glad to hear I'm not the only fat A$$ around..

Seggy · February 8th, 2007, 19:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrpennies

Thanks guys...

I know i can fit into a 172 (I got my PVT SEL in the 172) Just did not know how much more or less room a RJ had. I'm just glad to hear I'm not the only fat A$$ around..

No fat a$$ here!

I am a lean, mean, killing machine! I used to work 'the pit' at a few concert venues back in my bigger days. Ahh the stories from that!

ComplexHiAv8r · February 8th, 2007, 19:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrpennies

Thanks guys...

I know i can fit into a 172 (I got my PVT SEL in the 172) Just did not know how much more or less room a RJ had. I'm just glad to hear I'm not the only fat A$$ around..

Welcome to the club!

. I think I am the largest here, and Seggy says I won't have a problem at all.

amorris311 · February 9th, 2007, 00:15

how big are you?

PGT · February 9th, 2007, 00:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seggy

YOUR SIZE DOES NOT MATTER.

O'rly?

amorris311 · February 9th, 2007, 00:50

pg-13

Doug Taylor · February 9th, 2007, 02:12

We've got an ex Houston Oiler (def) and a former Dallas Cowboy (def) that fit just fine in a Southernjets MD-88.

And they're BIG guys.

Cessnaflyer · February 9th, 2007, 02:30

My roomate is 6'7" 250 and fits into an F33A Bonanza and a PA-28 so I think you should be able to make it in.

CaptChris · February 9th, 2007, 11:32

When I was learning to fly I was also playing D-1 football. Defensive tackle, 6'3, 305.... learned to fly at that weight. Right now I am about 260 on my way down to 230-240. Its not a problem like the guys above have said.

ComplexHiAv8r · February 9th, 2007, 20:50

I am 6'1" and according to my 1st class medical today, 341.

USMCmech · February 9th, 2007, 21:08

The only thing that your size would stop you is flying certian aircraft in the military. The size limits are because of the ejection seats. Idon't recall the exact limits. Transports, tankers, ect, are still options.

Other than that, you should be good to go.

inside0ut · February 10th, 2007, 22:44

Yea for the big guys!! Im 6'2" and 250, no prob in a 172. The 152 was a different story lol....

I always kinda have wondered about size and whether or not airlines would turn a blind eye to me... but I have seen enough guys my size flying commuters that I dont even question it any more....

zmiller4 · February 11th, 2007, 00:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew_VT

Seeing as how airlines are so concerned with weight, removing coffee makers, electronic flight bags, ect. Would management ever look at a 300lb pilot and say this guy is going to cost us an extra xx pounds of fuel a flight, or xxx pounds a week, xxxx a month, and xxxxx pounds a year, essentially costing the airline twice his salary! If we truely are just numbers to them this cant be far fetched. Does this happen?

No. Maybe they might take a second look at a reeeaaaally big guy due to potential health reasons, but to the company, you weigh 190lbs whether you're male, female, huge, or tiny.

MQAAord · February 11th, 2007, 00:18

Okay, at 5'2" 128, I'm feeling really damn small here!

Cessnaflyer · February 11th, 2007, 01:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by MQAAord

Okay, at 5'2" 128, I'm feeling really damn small here!

At 6'3" and 175 I am feeling really damn small

Stone Cold · February 11th, 2007, 06:48

So wrong on sooo many levels!!! Why are you corrupting a normal thread???

jrh · February 11th, 2007, 07:50

I'm 5'7" and 130 lbs, and I'm a guy. I find every plane I fly to be quite spacious.

mike295855 · February 11th, 2007, 10:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrh

I'm 5'7" and 130 lbs, and I'm a guy. I find every plane I fly to be quite spacious.

February 8th, 2007, 15:44	#1
mrpennies Newbie Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Bremerton, WA (PWT) Posts: 10	Big Pilot... Questions Hey all .. First post!!!!! I am 6'4" 290 LBS.. Will I fit in the right or left seat? I have so many people telling me "you're to big, you won't make it" I want to hear from some of the pros... :-) Also I am being told that the big boy pilots and airlines don’t like to see that you as a prospective right seater came from ATP.. Is this true? Am I going to waste my money because of my size and where I would like to go to school? I hope to be at the 275 mark by the time I apply for a regional.. I also wonder if it is worth it.. I have 2 kids and a wife.. How much will I be away from them during my first year at a regional.. Thanks for the advise..

February 8th, 2007, 15:47	#2
jtrain609 Old Skool Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Park City, UT Posts: 12,869	Re: Big Pilot... Questions I think when I met Seggy he was 6'5" and 320 lbs. of pure ass kicking fury and he was giving instruction in Cessna 172's. __________________ "Jetlink 2940, on another radio, contact clearance for new airways..."

February 8th, 2007, 15:58	#3
amorris311 Old Skool Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Los Angeles soon to be phx Posts: 2,633	Re: Big Pilot... Questions dude im 6'3" used to be 325 lbs now around 290. i had the same questions and for the most part it seems that it can be done but just in a bigger plane. those 152's are for the shrimps! def not for us.

February 8th, 2007, 16:12	#4
Andrew_VT Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Vermont Posts: 617	Re: Big Pilot... Questions Seeing as how airlines are so concerned with weight, removing coffee makers, electronic flight bags, ect. Would management ever look at a 300lb pilot and say this guy is going to cost us an extra xx pounds of fuel a flight, or xxx pounds a week, xxxx a month, and xxxxx pounds a year, essentially costing the airline twice his salary! If we truely are just numbers to them this cant be far fetched. Does this happen?

February 8th, 2007, 16:23	#6
Seggy Old Skool Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 5,498	Re: Big Pilot... Questions Welcome to jetcareers! I am 6'5 and used to be 315 pounds when I got my PPL (I played football in college), purly in Cessna 172. I dropped the weight to 240 when I 'retired' and am currently 240 pounds or so. I even flew the Cessna 150 for a few hours giving instruction. If you see someone that says "you are to big to be a pilot." Kick their a$$. At one time I was discouraged because some piece of toilet paper told me this. YOUR SIZE DOES NOT MATTER. I fly one of the smallest planes in commercial airline service and do not have a problem, even though it is quite comical to see me get in and out of the seat! Seriously, though, look to drop to 240 pounds. It will be much more healthy for you. Andrew that will not happen. Your time away from home will vary greatly depending what place you are at.

February 8th, 2007, 19:19	#8
mrpennies Newbie Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Bremerton, WA (PWT) Posts: 10	Re: Big Pilot... Questions Thanks guys... I know i can fit into a 172 (I got my PVT SEL in the 172) Just did not know how much more or less room a RJ had. I'm just glad to hear I'm not the only fat A$$ around..

February 9th, 2007, 00:15	#11
amorris311 Old Skool Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Los Angeles soon to be phx Posts: 2,633	Re: Big Pilot... Questions how big are you?

February 9th, 2007, 00:50	#13
amorris311 Old Skool Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Los Angeles soon to be phx Posts: 2,633	Re: Big Pilot... Questions pg-13

February 9th, 2007, 02:12	#14
Doug Taylor Agent Smith Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: KSDL Posts: 41,926 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Big Pilot... Questions We've got an ex Houston Oiler (def) and a former Dallas Cowboy (def) that fit just fine in a Southernjets MD-88. And they're BIG guys. __________________ Doug Taylor http://76school.flyblog.com (old!) http://30west.flyblog.com (updated 11/28)

February 9th, 2007, 02:30	#15
Cessnaflyer Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Sammamish, WA Posts: 1,447	Re: Big Pilot... Questions My roomate is 6'7" 250 and fits into an F33A Bonanza and a PA-28 so I think you should be able to make it in.

February 9th, 2007, 11:32	#16
CaptChris Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 556	Re: Big Pilot... Questions When I was learning to fly I was also playing D-1 football. Defensive tackle, 6'3, 305.... learned to fly at that weight. Right now I am about 260 on my way down to 230-240. Its not a problem like the guys above have said.

February 9th, 2007, 20:50	#17
ComplexHiAv8r Old Skool Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: OH or is it MX?? Posts: 4,881	Re: Big Pilot... Questions I am 6'1" and according to my 1st class medical today, 341. __________________ ASEL Instrument 500+ TT Cirrus Driver Engineer Loving Spouse and Father Proud Foster Parent Get Busy Living, or Get Busy Dying.... Last edited by ComplexHiAv8r; February 9th, 2007 at 21:39.

February 9th, 2007, 21:08	#18
USMCmech Old Skool Join Date: May 2004 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 1,712	Re: Big Pilot... Questions The only thing that your size would stop you is flying certian aircraft in the military. The size limits are because of the ejection seats. Idon't recall the exact limits. Transports, tankers, ect, are still options. Other than that, you should be good to go. __________________ "You may all go to Hell, I shall go to Texas" David Crockett http://www.myspace.com/usmcmech96

February 10th, 2007, 22:44	#19
inside0ut Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: PIT Posts: 525	Re: Big Pilot... Questions Yea for the big guys!! Im 6'2" and 250, no prob in a 172. The 152 was a different story lol.... I always kinda have wondered about size and whether or not airlines would turn a blind eye to me... but I have seen enough guys my size flying commuters that I dont even question it any more....

February 11th, 2007, 00:18	#21
MQAAord Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: The Looney Bin Posts: 9,624	Re: Big Pilot... Questions Okay, at 5'2" 128, I'm feeling really damn small here! __________________ PPL SEL 100-ish TT Former AA F/A (12 months) Former Simmons/AE F/A (6 years) Former AE ground school instructor (1 year) Former AE IOE instructor (3 years) http://www.scentsy.com/ALsmith

February 11th, 2007, 06:48	#23
Stone Cold Old Skool Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: SE US & Kiev Posts: 3,084	Re: Big Pilot... Questions So wrong on sooo many levels!!! Why are you corrupting a normal thread??? Last edited by SteveC; February 11th, 2007 at 09:02. Reason: non sequitor

February 11th, 2007, 07:50	#24
jrh Old Skool Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: USA Posts: 1,769	Re: Big Pilot... Questions I'm 5'7" and 130 lbs, and I'm a guy. I find every plane I fly to be quite spacious.

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