Expert: Ismar Avdic, Eng. - 5/3/2008

Question
Hello Ismar !

i'm a aspiring pilot hailing from india and im about to begin my flying career , but what worrries me is dat i am 6'3 and i weigh 240 pounds with a BMI of 29.9 , which i hav worked hard and brougt it low by losing 12 kgs ,i hav cleared my indian medicals and they asked me to keep reducin more but im concered about the training aircraft i.e cessna 152 , will i be able to fly like others or my flying time will be shortened due to weight issues & will manuvering be difficult because of a nose heavy scenario ?

Answer
Jason,
Your weight is pretty large for 152. For 152 your weight is way too much with an instructor. Your instructor can not weight more 60 LBS and have 100 lbs in fuel. So obviously that will not work. Whatso ever if you loose weight in nighbroohod of 200 lbs you can fly with 152 again with light instructor and not full fuel tanks. The best option for your training is C-172 at least regarding your weight.
Useful weight of an airplane is critical factor. here is link about C-152
http://www.micheloud.com/FXM/Flying/technica.htm
As you can see around 500 lbs is useful weight for that plane, meaning you have to put fuel and crew in same weight and balance. If you are heavier, only way to balance is to reduce fuel.

I hope this help
Ismar