Thorp Air Command - T18.net

I'm looking for ideas on how to get a little more leg room, I have extended the rudder cables 1.5" but its not enough for more then maybe an hour trip, is moving the bulkhead behind the seat back 1.5" an option? CG would still be within limits, not much left to take away from seatback, I love the little plane and would really like to make it work for me, I'm 6'4" by the way.
john

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John Letkeman
N2562K SN.922
Seminole Tx
(KGNC)

I'm sure you looked at raising the seat to the maximum. My canopy is raised as well. Insure that the tunnel and side panels are trimmed to the minimum. This let's your legs splay a bit. The bulkhead behind the seat is a crucial structure and should be messed with as a last resort.

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Bob Highley
N711SH
SN 835
KLAL

the seat is raised as much as the canopy will allow, the tunnel is 3.5" wide, I will look into trimming it down, not sure what you mean about the side panels,
thanks for the help.
John

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John Letkeman
N2562K SN.922
Seminole Tx
(KGNC)

A lot of homebuilts, Thorps included, have excess upholstery in the interior side panel area. In my case, this can get in the way of your knees. My side panels are just Kydex plastic with no thickness. Also, I have a seat back that is only 3/4" thick and it serves me fine. Another place to check is that there is nothing below BL 42 on the instrument panel. This includes throttles and other controls.

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Bob Highley
N711SH
SN 835
KLAL

Bob, do you have a picture of your seat back? I may be able to gain a little legroom there, what about moving the brake cylinders to pilot side as apposed to the firewall side of the pedals With some pull type cylinders? This would be good for about 1.5"

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John Letkeman
N2562K SN.922
Seminole Tx
(KGNC)

My seat is pretty much as in the plans with only 1/2" of foam. Curving the back panel of the seat may gain you some room. Many of us find the top of the brake pedal interferes with the tank saddle if they are moved too far forward and full right rudder is applied. I did move the rudder/brake mount 1/2" forward when I built the plane.

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Bob Highley
N711SH
SN 835
KLAL

I recommend you parse through the newsletters. There are several 6ft + guys out there (Bob comes to mind first) who have flown Thorps for years with no problem. I'm 5"11 and never feel unconfortable (sans a little need for a pit stop time to time). The biggest gains in my opinion are raising the canopy, as Bob states a thin seat back and of course moving the pedals forward.

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

I have removed the tunnel forward of the the seats going to the firewall and like Bob said it gave me a little more room, I think if I convert to electric flaps and remake the tunnel like Lee did, that will make it more comfortable as well, I just love the little plane! I can't believe it took me 4000 hours of flying to get around to flying a Thorp!

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John Letkeman
N2562K SN.922
Seminole Tx
(KGNC)

Lee I see on your 2011-12 project the fuel tank supports have been cut back and doublets installed, how far can I cut them back?
John.

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John Letkeman
N2562K SN.922
Seminole Tx
(KGNC)

John, That's a mod that's found in the Newsletters.

The newsletters are location on the main site http://thorp18.com under "newsletter archive"

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

I moved the bulkhead behind the seats back 2 inches, and the legroom for me is now perfect. I'm 6'3". The mod was fairly easy, requiring a fairly simple to build extension to the tunnel between the seats.

I would be very interested in more info on how you accomplished this, do you have pictures you can post or send me?
Thanks for the reply

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John Letkeman
N2562K SN.922
Seminole Tx
(KGNC)