My wife and I are both private pilots and currently own a Cessna 172. As our 2 kids are getting bigger we are getting worried about outgrowing it and no longer being able to take family trips. As a result we stopped by the Van's booth at Oshkosh to check out the RV10.
I was impressed but unfortunately my wife wasn't. She is only 5'1" and she had a horrible time getting in and out of the airplane. Her biggest issue was climbing onto the peg and then taking the giant step onto the wing walk.
While there the guy showing us the plane mentioned adding a handle to the outside. I think that would help, but for someone 5'1" it would still be difficult. Another option mentioned was using a step stool, but that is a ridiculous idea when she is the pilot! How is she supposed to fly to another airport and then get out and back in with the step back at the home airport?
Has anyone done anything to make it easier to get in or out of the RV10? Once in the airplane she liked it even though we will need to make some rudder pedal extensions for her as well.
If I can find a way to make getting in and out not so challenging, she would be sold on building an RV-10. However, if she is not comfortable getting in and out, we will be looking for something other than a homebuilt for our family plane.
I was impressed but unfortunately my wife wasn't. She is only 5'1" and she had a horrible time getting in and out of the airplane. Her biggest issue was climbing onto the peg and then taking the giant step onto the wing walk.
While there the guy showing us the plane mentioned adding a handle to the outside. I think that would help, but for someone 5'1" it would still be difficult. Another option mentioned was using a step stool, but that is a ridiculous idea when she is the pilot! How is she supposed to fly to another airport and then get out and back in with the step back at the home airport?
Has anyone done anything to make it easier to get in or out of the RV10? Once in the airplane she liked it even though we will need to make some rudder pedal extensions for her as well.
If I can find a way to make getting in and out not so challenging, she would be sold on building an RV-10. However, if she is not comfortable getting in and out, we will be looking for something other than a homebuilt for our family plane.