The max pilot weight for front seat of Varieze aircraft

[JW]

The max pilot weight for front seat of Varieze aircraft

[Bill James]

It's the weekend! I'll take a stab-
I understand that the 1080 lb max gross weight VariEze was designed for
a 175 lb pilot,
a 175 lb GIB,
and a 175 lb engine.
Plus two toothbrushes if absolutely required.
If built to plans (<620 lbs), there might be room for an hour's or so fuel   

[Joe Person]

OK, I'll "weigh" in here  (groan...)

Depends on the airplane. 

Example:  My O-200 Eze is 617 pounds empty, and with the light airframe, my MINIMUM front seat weight is 190 pounds.  Neglecting nose strust structural limitations, my MAXIMUM front seat weight is 285 pounds (but I limit it to 255 pounds on account os the nose strut structural limit factor).  Ben Winner's brand new VariEze (Grand Forks, ND) is around 750 pounds empty, and his MINUMUM front seat weight is 90 pounds, and his maximum front seat weight is 230 pounds.  These numbers are based on the initial W&B data he emailed me a couple of months ago.

So, there is no set min/max front seat limit, other than the 255 RAF identified for the nose strut, way back when.

[Joe Person]

More qualification:

You are limited to 255 max in the front, but if your front seat limit ends up at 210, for example (as based on the fwd CG limit), then 210 would be the max.  Whatever the min max range is, based on the CG envelope, but not to exceed 255 in the front, is the better way to define this.

[AaronT]

Timely discussion, I have to placard the maximum passenger seat weight and I can't find the design limits for the rear seat.  Anyone know the limit/reference?

[Joe Person]

Aaron,

There is no limit to the back seat weight - the weight of the passenger is only dependent on what the gross weight limitations are for the airplane.  For a stock width VEZ like you now have, good luck getting anyone above about 230 in the back, as it will be uncomfortable.  PAX & Fuel only affect gross weight, and do little to affect CG. For your heavy Eze, the more fuel you pack, the lighter the passenger has to be.

[AaronT]

Thanks Joe.  I doctored Waiters weight and balance sheet for my plane http://iflyez.com/LongEZ_Weight_and_Balance.shtml

Good thing my GIB (girl in back) is thin