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Ergonomic solution for short fat guy in Mooney

benpilot

By benpilot
in General Mooney Talk

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benpilot Collaborator

benpilot

Posted
Posted
 

I spoke with Lasar about pedal extension and the max size is only 4" if I recall correctly. I'd still have the yoke in chest panel too close syndrome that Mooney ergonomics challenge me. Any ideas? 

Dave Marten Proficient

Dave Marten

Posted
Posted

Didn't you say you are 5ft 6? Try on a Mooney for size. You may be surprised by the fit. I have a friend who is barely 5 ft 2 and flies a Mooney. I ask what his pedal setup is. The mooney instrument panel is closer to the pilot than brand C airplanes so you can't use distance from the panel alone to determine your sitting position. Where are you based? We gotta get you in a plane and have you try it on!

Rwsavory Mentor

Rwsavory

Posted
Posted

 

 

I spoke with Lasar about pedal extension and the max size is only 4" if I recall correctly. I'd still have the yoke in chest panel too close syndrome that Mooney ergonomics challenge me. Any ideas? 

 

 

Get a Bonanza.

  • Like 1
flyboy0681 Grand Master

flyboy0681

Posted
Posted

I'm 5' 4", have the 1.5" extension and I don't have any problems with my sitting position. I can fully depress the rudder and apply the brakes. Contrary to what you wrote, the yoke is far from being in my chest and I position the seat in the second row of stops.

Hank Grand Master

Hank

Posted
Posted

Hey, Newbie.

All Mooney panels are closer than Cessna panels. Many people use reading glasses for the instruments due to closeness. The plane was built for long-legged pilots, but rudder pedal extensions help. Don't expect to reach Cessna panel distance though. You'll adjust to the closer panel just like you will to more right rudder on takeoff and higher yoke force.

If you update your profile to include at least your home state, it will help us help you, as someone may live nearby to permit a test-fit in their plane. There really is no substitute for actually sitting in the aircraft, just be aware of the issues getting in and out.

Happy shopping, always fly safe and fly Mooney!

Marauder Grand Master

Marauder

Posted
Posted

One thing I have noticed that influences the way seating will or won't work is based on your torso to leg length. Some people with long torsos will sit closer to the yoke to offset the shortness of the legs. If you are long legged and short torso, you are further away from the yoke. Most people are not an equal 50:50 split from hips down.

The end result for shorter pilots with short legs in a Mooney is a poor seating arrangement.

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Marauder Grand Master

Marauder

Posted
Posted

HELP WANTED:

WANTED, PROFESSIONAL LURKER. MUST HAVE OVER 150 POSTS. ENQUIRE WITHIN. WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITITY EMPLOYER. WE DO NOT DISCRIMINATE BASED ON HEIGHT...OR LEG LENGTH IN RELATION TO SAID HEIGHT.

Ah Scott, you forgot one important detail (as did I); how FAT is the "Fat short guy"? Along with the torso/leg dimension, there is the "fatness" factor. Worst combination is short legs, long torso and a really fat belly. In this case, you can't reach the pedals, nor can you reach the yoke!

Maybe we need a height versus BMI calculator to make the most accurate determination that certain short, fat guys with short legs and long torsos should be in a Bonanza.

The above characterization is not pertinent or applicable to the other category of Mooney Pilots; i.e. "Fat tall pilots" These pilots are the ones who have short legs, long torsos and fat bodies. Those pilots cannot reach the pedals, nor the yoke but routinely bang their head on the ceiling.

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flyboy0681 Grand Master

flyboy0681

Posted
Posted

Ah Scott, you forgot one important detail (as did I); how FAT is the "Fat short guy"? Along with the torso/leg dimension, there is the "fatness" factor. Worst combination is short legs, long torso and a really fat belly. In this case, you can't reach the pedals, nor can you reach the yoke!

Maybe we need a height versus BMI calculator to make the most accurate determination that certain short, fat guys with short legs and losing torsos should be in a Bonanza.

The above characterization is not pertinent or applicable to the other category of Mooney Pilots; i.e. "Fat tall pilots" These pilots are the ones who have short legs, long torsos and fat bodies. Those pilots cannot reach the pedals, nor the yoke but routinely bang their head on the ceiling.

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Well, at least that's one thing I don't have to worry about. Although I'm small at five-four, I weigh 135 pounds and my BMI is well within the envelope.

sreid Community Regular

sreid

Posted
Posted

HELP WANTED:

WANTED, PROFESSIONAL LURKER. MUST HAVE OVER 150 POSTS. ENQUIRE WITHIN. WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITITY EMPLOYER. WE DO NOT DISCRIMINATE BASED ON HEIGHT...OR LEG LENGTH IN RELATION TO SAID HEIGHT.

 

Wanted: Keyboard without caps lock stuck.  haha

  • Like 1
Shadrach Grand Master

Shadrach

Posted
Posted

My Dad is 5'6' (more like 5'5" now) with a 29" inseam and has owned 3 Mooneys (C, E and F)...none of which had peddle extensions. Dad's a bit rounder at 75 then he was at 45 (160lbsish) but never had trouble with the peddles. He does fly with the seat in the forward position.  I am 5'11 (on a good day) and I fly in second from full aft position.  Both of those seat positions put you close to the panel. So it all boils down to inseam... If I were to crash wearing only the lap belt, my face would likely not hit the yoke because it would be in the dash/panel... I can position the seat so that I can fly straight legged or straight armed, but not both...

Hank Grand Master

Hank

Posted
Posted

We all had fresh PPLs at one point. If he'll tell us where he is, arranging a test-fit will be easy. Then he will know what he needs.

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