EZFlap wrote:Not exactly what you want to hear, but the ideal airplane for your mission may well be the Zenair 750. I sat in one with a 6 foot 4 guy and he had plenty of room, height, width, knee room, leg room, etc. The center stick eliminates the stick banging your knees issue. The side by side seating will make your wife happier to fly with you, guaranteed. Plenty of room for baggage.

Thanks, I will have a look.

Another recomendation for the Scout.

I'm 6'3, 260. Have had multiple Scouts over the past 30 years. They don't break ground like a cub, but they are not far behind. I much perfer them once airborne.

You don't have to be a contorninist to get into them and there is not the knees around the ears feeling I get in a cub.

UpNorth

akaviator wrote:6' 3", 250 lbs, size 14 feet.

Had a Champ because I couldn't fit in a cub and was quite satisfied with the room. A Scout would be a great choice IMO.

C-170s are great airplanes with room for us big dudes. There's a lot of guys flying them with stock motors, a 80" prop and Sportsman STOL and they are certainly capable when respecting their limitations (as with all planes). Look at it is a spacious two seater and it's really attractive.

Thanks, another Cessna 170/180/185 recommendation. Scout too.

Cary wrote:FWIW, you'd be surprised how many folks don't have a problem running a 210 into backcountry areas. Unless you're wanting to become a die-hard, rough and very short airstrip guy, you might just want to use the 210. Its flaps leave a lot to be desired compared to other SE Cessnas, but keep it within its capabilities, and it might do the job for you--and you are already familiar with it.

Cary

Right, and I have done that into a lot of grass strips from here to the Bob Marshall, etc. However, little tires and gopher holes don't go together and my 210 is too nice to do what I want to do. Thanks.

maules.com wrote:The Maule does not have a stick to get in the way.
The seat cushioning density and thickness, base and backrest, makes a big difference.
A number of tall pilots I know are happy in their Maules, one is 6'7"
Side by side is 42" at the elbow.

I'm with Jeremy on this one.

6'6", 305/size 15

The MXT7 is a tight fit, but once I relocate the headset jacks I'll be just fine. In the meantime I'll refoam the seat and gain a little bit there too.

Plus, leave the backseat at home and take anything you want.


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How bout an early 180? Plenty of room, more available than 180hp 170, reasonable price. Doesn't need a lot of mods, do great as they were made!

triggergapflyer wrote:

Pinecone wrote:You say you have a T210, so a 185 is too much of a repeat? I disagree. I enjoyed a T210 for 9 years and 800 hours. Then I bought a 185. Sold the T210 less than a year later.

Wife and I have talked about that very possibility. A one airplane family would sure be simpler and a good bit cheaper.
Thanks

I know it's a big change, moving from the 210 and finding a nice 185....but it's exactly why i have a 185. Always known that we would be a one airplane family. I fly from Texas to the Mountain West every year. A185 is no 210 in cruise, but i do plan for 140 knots every where i go at 7500' or greater. On my typical 10 hour trip to Idaho, that's not a bad compromise for being able to hit all the strips short of the "big creek 4." Great re-sale too.

Bill

gregwyatt wrote:You can also put in heel pans into husky that drops your knees a few inches.

Actually drops knees down only about 1 inch. And as one rudder goes forward and the other goes back you (big footed guys) catch your heel on the back of the well and have to lift them up. I learned to fly in a C150 and figured out how to move my knees, legs around to make it work. However, I am not in that mode anymore. I want something that feels right and fits.
Thanks for the input.

Zzz wrote:Is the Scout front seat adjustable fore and aft? What is the mechanism like? Flown them a few times but I can't recall that detail. Definitely one of the most comfortable ass-chairs I've flown in.

Flew a 1999 Scout today. Got in....barely....... and my knees were hard against the lower instrument panel. Asked if the seat adjusted. No, don't think so. Fiddled around under the seat and we found an adjustment that moved the seat back an inch or so. The owner was very surprised and said he wished he had known this for the last 9 years he had flown it. Tight but workable. In the end tho the lack of storage may be a deal breaker. I just don't see how you can get a tent, small ice chest and a couple of other necessities in there without a lot of contortions. Also flew a C180 today. Really impressed.

I am 6'3 1/2, and our C180 fits like a glove. I fit well in our A1 Husky, but our legs must be different. I have the heel pans, but don't use them (11 1/2 feet).
For me, the husky fits better than a 7gcbc or a 7bcm.
Buy what you feel comfortable in, regardless of what we tell you you should fit in

Again, the wheel solves the problems with the stick.

The problem with the Maule if you are somewhat tall (6'7") is you cant see out the side windows until you crane your head down under the wings. It feels pretty awkward. I dont like having to crouch forward like a vulture just to look for traffic or enjoy the view off the wingtip. Same with the bearhawk. Your mileage may vary.

The scout seat issue mentioned above is not a factor for me for some reason.

lesuther wrote:Again, the wheel solves the problems with the stick.

The problem with the Maule if you are somewhat tall (6'7") is you cant see out the side windows until you crane your head down under the wings. It feels pretty awkward. I dont like having to crouch forward like a vulture just to look for traffic or enjoy the view off the wingtip. Same with the bearhawk. Your mileage may vary.

The scout seat issue mentioned above is not a factor for me for some reason.

True.... but that's what the super skylight option is for!

Honestly that is my only gripe...but coming from flying a Socata that had a 50" wide cabin and a big plexiglas and aluminum fishbowl.... I can't complain


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If you want to go do stuff with another person and carry a bunch of stuff, a tandem is the wrong airplane...unless you are both tiny and you have a belly pod...or you have a Top Cub...also with a belly pod...


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[quote="triggergapflyer" Also flew a C180 today. Really impressed.[/quote]

I think you just answered your own question......hard to beat one of the classic Cessna tail draggers. And, you're right: If you need to carry two people and camping gear, best to start with a four seat airplane.

MTV

How would you like this PA 12? Has about everything but flaps.

Troy Hamon wrote:If you want to go do stuff with another person and carry a bunch of stuff, a tandem is the wrong airplane...unless you are both tiny and you have a belly pod...or you have a Top Cub...also with a belly pod...


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My experience as well. After my last 180 sold, I took a break from aircraft ownership. Evaluated my needs. Don't think i'm crazy, but i seriously looked at a new Top Cub with a pod. Fits 90% of what I want. Unfortunately, practicality and comfort set in. With the distances i cover and my size....I can buy a nice 185 and have money to spare over a top cub. For a big guy, with 2+ in the cards, long distances....Cessna (170, 180, 185) just checks so many boxes.

Bill

Regarding a Maule, besides being a side by side environment to share the flight more, the right front seat can easily be removed if you want to use the plane as tandem seater and this allows the rear passenger unlimited leg and shoulder room, plus access to all the baggage or dogs or whatever.
On top of this the rear double door is outstanding for loading, or video work or cargo or parachuter drops, with the easy doors of capability.
The rear seat takes but 2 minutes to remove or replace, same with the doors.
Another point to consider if one wants freedom to bash the plane around in the bushes, is of course it's cost of upkeep and parts between one marque and another, i.e. C172 aileron $5700, Maule aileron $880.

maules.com wrote:Regarding a Maule, besides being a side by side environment to share the flight more, the right front seat can easily be removed if you want to use the plane as tandem seater and this allows the rear passenger unlimited leg and shoulder room, plus access to all the baggage or dogs or whatever.
On top of this the rear double door is outstanding for loading, or video work or cargo or parachuter drops, with the easy doors of capability.
The rear seat takes but 2 minutes to remove or replace, same with the doors.
Another point to consider if one wants freedom to bash the plane around in the bushes, is of course it's cost of upkeep and parts between one marque and another, i.e. C172 aileron $5700, Maule aileron $880.

When I hit the lottery, a Maule is on my shopping list. So probably never. But I can dream.

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180Marty wrote:How would you like this PA 12? Has about everything but flaps.

PA-12s are popular with the big guy crowd. While they make for a bit more room than the tandems, they usually don't have the useful load you would want to go with the space inside, and when you get the souped up engine, flaps, etc. added to make it more supercub-ish, you take away some of the useful load you did have. Great airplane, but again, the real question is what his human and cargo load really needs to be. For a 2 big people camping airplane, probably not going to find the useful load he is going to want.

I did see one with a PA-18 belly pod on it. Looked a little funny since it didn't fit to the edges, but that would help with space so long as the weight allowance was there to use it.


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I believe the PA-18 "Tango" models had a lowered seat to accommodate military parachutes. Maybe not easy to find a Tango Cub, but locating the seat shouldn't be too difficult.

Otherwise, Scouts are about the most roomy aircraft that fit your description, of which I've flown and recommend.

Edit: I'm starting to think people's idea of 'camping' varies widely, based on the many comments of a tandem not fitting that mission "comfortably"...