M20C- Seat Rail Modification- STC ?

[Texasjazz]

Hello to all! I'm certainly a Newbie to MooneySpace, but not to Mooney's. For 12 wonderful years I had the pleasure of flying N4710H, a terrific 1981 M20K.

 

She has been gone to a new owner for a few years and I am now seriously considering buying into a partnership of a truly great 1975 M20C, Ranger. Here is my issue and question.

 

At a lanky 6'4", (probably like some of you) I'm a pretty tight fit in the left seat. This particular C has pedal extensions installed by the previous owner and is used and necessary by one of the current partners.  Because of the pedal extenders, I need approximately 3"-5" additional length in the seat rail for my knees to be sufficiently clear of the yoke to have full range of yoke motion. Thus, drilling of additional holes in the rails will be necessary.

 

I have searched the forums here and found the thread  "mooneyspace.com/topic/1519/anybody know much about drilling seat rail holes" , very informative and helpful.  The solution there from Advanced Member Knute was that his brother accomplished the regulation requirements via working with a DER, completing a FAA form 8110-3 and subsequent Form 337 approval.......and it was accomplished back in about 2000.

 

Does anyone know if there is an STC out there that has this mod approved since then?  If so, by whom?  I'll admit I still have to do some homework by calling Dugosh, Maxwell, and a couple of other Mooney A&P's that I am familiar with.  But any help with this issue is greatly appreciated.

 

I'm certainly looking forward to spending time on MooneySpace and contributing where I can.

 

Mike Pollard

 

 

 

 

[carusoam]

Welcome aboard Mike.

You've come to the right place....

Best regards,

-a-

Searching the 'forums'

http://mooneyspace.com/topic/5327-pilot-side-seat-rails-m-20k/?hl=%2Bseat+%2Brail+%2Bhole#entry68722

And others...

Remember to work with your mechanic on anything like this.

[Mooneymite]

Welcome!

[N601RX]

There is a Mooney Drawing that allows it for some of the later models, but I don't believe that they cover the C model. 

 

Retrofit kit 940098, but doesn't cover C's.

[bonal]

seems I say this a lot but its always a good source for things relating to parts and modifications.  Get hold of Dan or Paul at Lake Aero Styling

707 263 0412

[Texasjazz]

Thanks very much for your comments and observations.  I'm following up now with LASAR & McFarlane....Also, talking w/ Dugosh etc. I will report back with the solution. There's gotta be one!

 

Mike

[phecksel]

Just drill all four seat rails AND SHUT UP

 

At 6-4 with pedal extensions, you have to be pretty close to reaching them with the seats all the way back anyway.

[DaV8or]

Just drill all four seat rails AND SHUT UP

 

At 6-4 with pedal extensions, you have to be pretty close to reaching them with the seats all the way back anyway.

 

I have heard of hangar fairies and their skills with drills before!

[bonal]

I wonder if when in annual the AP actually counts the holes in the rail. How many holes is that?

[1964-M20E]

Just drill all four seat rails AND SHUT UP

 

At 6-4 with pedal extensions, you have to be pretty close to reaching them with the seats all the way back anyway.

DITTO

[jetdriven]

Someone had A DER draw up something for an M20E for an extra 2 or 3 holes in the seat rail. 1/4" spacing etc. use that for a field approval.

[jetdriven]

Yeah, I'll admit or I'm a bit on the fat side and that extra seat rail hole comes in handy. Get back from the panel a bit. FTR I'm 5-11", 215 lb and 32" inseam.

[Bob_Belville]

I'm thinking I'd hate to be in the back seat of that C...

[carusoam]

The danger of the extra holes not working....

The seat could slide all the way back in an uncommanded fashion....

In a C, that extra two or three inches probably goes unnoticed by everyone except the back seater...

In a long body, the pilot will dissapear and then need to scramble to regain control...

The long body probably comes with all the holes that are necessary.

Just be aware of the challenge that can be generated....

Best regards,

-a-

[jetdriven]

I heard the 7th hole in the seat rail is a 1700$ factory option on a new Mooney.

[chrisk]

I'm curious.  How short do you need to be in order to require pedal extensions? 

[DonMuncy]

I'm curious.  How short do you need to be in order to require pedal extensions?

Not very. I'm 5' 8" and fly with the seat in the forwardmost position. The yoke is very close to my body. I would actually be more comfortable with extensions. But it makes it nice on a passenger behind you if you are that far forward.

[DaV8or]

I'm curious.  How short do you need to be in order to require pedal extensions? 

 

I don't require them, but I'm 5'11" and think I would like the 1-1/2" extensions. This would allow me to have my arms at a more comfortable reach to the yoke and still have optimum control over the rudder. Now I just sit a little too close to the yoke and deal with it.

[Bob_Belville]

I move the seat back a couple of notches in cruise. Go forward to see better and reach brakes for landing. I'm 5'8" with 30" inseam.

[carusoam]

I'm only 6'.

Plane came with pedal extensions.

They make things a bit more comfortable.

Guess where my height comes from...?

I would surmise the fact that you are tall is not as important as the length of your legs.

Check the label on the back of your favorite pair of Levi's...W x L

If your L is 32 or less, you may like the pedal extensions....

If you have a long neck, you may like the seat height adjustment.

Funky personal experience,

-a-

[Ned Gravel]

Folks:  

 

Just a consideration.  We have an assessor in our accreditation body that stands 6' 2", but when he sits in my car, he is shorter than I am (at 5' 11"). 

 

Why?  Because his legs are long and his torso is comparatively short.  So he would probably not need the pedal extensions to fly (if he was a pilot) but he might need booster cushions.  

 

The point of this?  Overall height may not be the biggest factor in determining the need for pedal extensions.

[Seth]

I'm curious.  How short do you need to be in order to require pedal extensions?

Not very. I'm 5' 8" and fly with the seat in the forwardmost position. The yoke is very close to my body. I would actually be more comfortable with extensions. But it makes it nice on a passenger behind you if you are that far forward.

I'm 5'6" and similar to mentioned

[Texasjazz]

Thanks to all that responded. In the final analysis, we will be using a formerly approved engineering design and 337 for approval to extend the holes in the seat rail.  Since 6905V is going into annual in a couple of weeks, we will use that time to hopefully get it accomplished.  I will report back with the results.

 

Thank you all again,

Mike Pollard

N6905V

KHYI