So thinking of switching from 182 to a 2 seater. Truth is 90% of our flying is just “round the neighborhood low and slow” Problem is I’m 6’6” and wife is 6’. Any suggestions on roomiest 2 seater? Ease of ingress/egress would be nice as well, and I’d prefer a constant speed prop.

The Zlin Norden is an airplane I would check out although you’ll be weight limited as an LSA, but it seems to have quite a bit of room in width at the shoulders and above your head.

Cessna Birddog?

My scout had great leg room for shorter flights. Flying back from Alaska or across the country, however, I'd notice that I wanted more legroom for sure, normally would end up crossing my legs or something to change position. Mine had the adjustable seat and never came off the furthest aft setting. A thin back cushion instead of the plush one could add like 4" of legroom and make the seat bottom seem longer to give your thighs more support which alleviates discomfort for long legged people like us.

They are definitely wider than husky/cub style airplanes, elbow room was never an issue. It still took some climbing and yoga to get in, especially on 31's, like any other tandem plane I've flown. Rear seat has tons of leg room.

It's hard moving from cessna legroom (because of the seat tracks) to anything else honestly, but after a while you'll get used to it.

I'm 6'4" and 230-250 depending on mood.

Got beat to it. The Scout is roomy as is an L-19.
RANS S-7 is actually roomy if looking for an LSA. Gravity knight seems to fit in his well.

I’ve always wanted a wag aero 2+2 with a single seat up front. I think a guy built one called the Chubby.

The chubby! That’s hilarious, didn’t think about a bird dog

Scout….hands down.

MTV

Had Scouts for 25+ years. Great airplanes.

I moved on to an experimental L19. More room, better visibility from both seats. Level floor vs step over sill. Would have trouble going back to the Scout now. And I really, really liked the Scout! 6’3, 260+/-.

UpNorth

6’2”, 250lbs. I own a pipeline patrol company and have tried most types, I think.
Scout is good. Bird Dog is best.

THIS is the thread I've been looking for !!! I'm definitely looking to buy ASAP a tandem, roomy, metal plane. I can't buy an LSA or small fabric experimental to get blown all over the sky by the wind (not if I want my girlfriend to come with me. She hates bouncing around in the air) and I live on a 2500' grass runway. I won't be doing any serious off airport landings, just normal low and slow flights, maximum about 200 miles from my home airport, and landing mostly on grass runways (some not the smoothest but not needing big tires) and occasionally on asphalt runways.

Among the aircraft I've owned I realize I prefer tandem seats. I've owned an RV8, a Citabria, a Pilatus P3, and a gyrocopter, among others, and I really enjoy tandem more. I currently own a '68 Cardinal with 180hp, C/S prop, STOL, which flys great but it's boring to fly and again, have I mentioned I prefer tandem?

After all my research I've decided on the L19 as my preferred choice since it's strong (not LSA or RV8 thin metal) and roomy. It also compares in price with early 2000s Citabrias which I seriously looked at but prefer metal over fabric. So I'm looking for recommendations regarding these specs so I can decide which would be better for me to buy.

If there's a better L19 thread to post this on please let me know. Thank you !



Here are my concerns:
- Fuel system: Pressure carb or Ector gravity feed?

- PPonk landing gear mod or without it?
I've read good and bad regarding the Pponk gear mod on the 170s and 180s but is there any difference on the L19 gear and airframe?

- TTAF: I've seen everything from 16,000 hours to 3500 hours to 100 hours after full airframe restoration?

- anything specific regarding the C/S or fixed pitch prop on the L19?
I know the difference in performance, just asking if there's any other consideration regarding this on the L19 engine configuration specifically.

Scout.

A Scout or Birdbog are the "safe" bets, if your into something a bit more "unconventional" the Wilga is cavernous. It's also available in both round and flat engine depending on how you like to swing your prop. It is four seats but if the rear bench is removed you'd have tons of cargo space.

I have been exploring this as well (I'm 6'5) and have "heard" the Husky is roomy, although I have never sat in one..

I think it would be very close between a Husky and a Scout but I don't have any numbers to offer at this time.

Deputydog wrote:I have been exploring this as well (I'm 6'5) and have "heard" the Husky is roomy, although I have never sat in one..

I’m 6’2” and recently flew both front and back seat in a Husky, lots of leg room

woaaw great

I’m 6’5” w/a 35” inseam. Huskies are tight for me in front just sitting on the ground. Never flown one from the front, though. The newest A1Cs with the adjustable seat are *much* better, and the only ones I’d personally be able to fly for any length of time. The trim system is better as well. Of course, they are significantly more $.

No Husky is anywhere near as roomy inside as a Scout. I’ve flown both, and prefer the Husky for performance, but if I were a big guy, I’d find a Scout.

If you do go with a Bird Dog, learn everything you can about them first. Not sure I’d be a fan of the original -11 engine, for example, but others would know more about that.

MTV

In this order….

Bird Dog
Scout
Husky with the heel pan modification. The heel pan mod really helps for long leg people.


Kurt