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There is an upper weight limit of 110kg (242lb, 17st 4lb) for most aircraft.
This is a safety limit based on the design of the seat and straps.
However, if you are over 100kg, about 16 stone, your build may mean that
you are unable to comfortably and safely fit in a glider cockpit.
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There is a lower weight limit which applies to the front seat, and varies
from aircraft to aircraft. The range at Stratford is about 55kg to 70kg
(123 to 154lb, 8st 11lb to 11st). This limit is concerned with the
position of the Centre of Gravity of the aircraft, and the aircraft
becomes unstable if it is too light at the front.
The variance is caused by minor things such as the thickness of the
coat of paint on the tail.
We have ballast, in the form of a parachute and lead weights, which
can add 30-35lb to the weight of the pilot. If this isn't enough,
though, you can still fly in the back seat, where the lower limit
doesn't apply.
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The upper height limit for a pilot depends to some extent on the ratio
of body length to leg length, and some aircraft are more restrictive
than others. 6'4" (193cm) is a typical pilot height limit.
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The lower height limit is 4'9" (145cm) standing, and 3'8" (112cm) seated.
The lower weight and age limits usually come into play first.
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There is no upper age limit, although certain infirmities can cause
a problem. We will ask you to sign a
Medical Disclaimer before you fly.
The oldest person we can recall flying with was an 84-year-old
lady, who loved it!
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The lower age limit for a Trial Lesson is
"old enough to accept and act on verbal instruction".
Here are our rules about
Young Visitors.
You can't fly solo until you are 16, so we normally don't start
teaching pilots under 15. A 14-year-old will learn to fly very
quickly, and then get very frustrated waiting for 20 months to
be able to fly solo.
