Rudder Pedal Extensions

[Fly Boomer]

In a thread started in 2018 by @DonMuncy which has grown over the years with additions by @BrianW and @Aerodon as well as several others regarding rudder pedal extensions

https://mooneyspace.com/topic/25735-rudder-pedal-extensions-revisited/

@Ragsf15e who is 6'3" says he has to keep his seat all the way back, and wonders if he has extensions.  I'm also tall, so I decided to check mine.  The first picture below is one posted by @BrianW with an extension installed, and the second picture is from my airplane.  I don't see that "U" channel on mine, but can someone who has worked on these things confirm with certainty whether mine does or does not have extensions?  Thanks for any help.

 

 

Edited December 29, 2021 by Fly Boomer
changes to @ codes

[PT20J]

There are two extensions available: 1.5" and 3" The top picture is the 3".  The bottom picture is the 1.5". At some point, Mooney started shipping from the factory with the 1.5" installed. Check the equipment list.

Skip

Rudder Extension Drawing 720115.pdf

[Fly Boomer]

So, the 1.5-inch extension doesn't have that "U" channel shown in the first picture?

[47U]

32 minutes ago, Fly Boomer said:

second picture is from my airplane.

Is this orientation better?  

I don’t see extensions installed here as shown in Skip’s attachment.

[Fly Boomer]

Thanks, @47U for flipping that.  That's my airplane and, when I took the picture, I was upside down in the footwell waving my phone around behind the pedal.  So, are you saying that the picture you flipped does not have an extension?

[47U]

7 minutes ago, Fly Boomer said:

So, are you saying that the picture you flipped does not have an extension?

Correct, no extension.  The 720016 part number is attached directly to the rudder pedal.  At least that’s how I see it.

I flipped your photo to the same orientation as Skip’s attachment.

[Fly Boomer]

Now I'm really confused.  As suggested by @PT20J I looked at the equipment list, and it shows "RUDDER PEDAL EXTENSION" with drawing 720115, weight 0.5 pounds, and arm 15.00 inches.  Does anyone know if the 1.5-inch extension was done by swapping in rudder pedals that look substantially like the non-extended pedals, but without the "U" channel?  Thanks.

[carusoam]

Extensions look like additional confusing hardware… cut metal bits, nuts and bolts… all shiny metal… (or painted white)

the differences between 1.5 and 3” are more difficult to tell…

 

also… when discussing the need for rudder pedals… consider using your Levi’s as a better measurement…. Inseam is everything.   

 

If you have a 32” leg length for your Levi’s, you are in the ball park for not needing the extensions….

Best regards,

-a-

[Fly Boomer]

So @carusoam you are in agreement with @47U that I don't have extensions.  At 6'3" my inseam is pretty long.

Edited December 29, 2021 by Fly Boomer

[carusoam]

Keep in mind…

It is really easy to remove the rudder extensions…

So… a previous owner may have had them when he got the plane… but removed them later…

Of course, any changes should be noted in the logs…

Best regards,

-a-

[Fly Boomer]

Equipment list says I have them, but I know that recordkeeping with these birds is not always up to snuff.

[Igor_U]

1 minute ago, Fly Boomer said:

Equipment list says I have them, but I know that recordkeeping with these birds is not always up to snuff.

It took me a while to understand the drawing and PL (I'm a 3D CAD guy) but now I get it:

 

You have a 1.5" extensions installed - if you look at the Sheet 1- install -501 - it says that p/n 720114-1 is 1.5" extension... - that is the black part on the photo that has the rod end attached to.

 

I hope this helps.

[carusoam]

Your pics in the original post are pretty clear…

 

 

Changing rudder pedal length gives more or less space between your chest and the yoke…

All for allowing the yoke a full range of motion…

If you have longer legs than that….  You probably got longer arms as well….

Sliding the chair back to the next holes in the rail usually is the next step…

Check for how many holes are in the rails…. You may want to find the thread for adding another set of holes…

 

PP thoughts only,

-a-

[47U]

I’m sorry to have added to your confusion… someone smart will be along, I’m sure.  (In fact they showed up while I was typing.)

Anyway, after looking again at Skip’s attachment, when Mooney incorporated the 1.5” extension to production aircraft, they changed the design of the rudder pedal(?).  I always thought that extended rudder pedals had the extension hardware bolted to the rudder pedals, and that all rudder pedals were the same part number.

What year/model is your Mooney?  Do you have an IPB?  Do the rudder pedal pn’s match the 1.5” extended rudder pedals pn in Skip’s attachment? 

[carusoam]

Interesting additional details from everyone…

Lets invite @M20Doc to the conversation (rudder pedal extension standards, and add-ons)

 

There is also a point in history where the extensions and pedals were not aligned very well… making it too easy to be on the brakes…

 

Best regards,

-a-

[47U]

5 minutes ago, Igor_U said:

You have a 1.5" extensions installed - if you look at the Sheet 1- install -501 - it says that p/n 720114-1 is 1.5" extension... - that is the black part on the photo that has the rod end attached to.

So Mooney moved the pivot point of the rudder pedal to the rear hole, where the brake rod was attached, then made an extension to attached the brake rod further aft.  Is that right?  And all rudder pedals are the same pn?

I think I should have stayed out of this.  All I wanted to do was reorient the picture.  (Sorry, Boomer!)

[Fly Boomer]

In response to @Igor_U I see what you mean.  I looked at that drawing several times, but didn't really understand it.  It also says INSTL ON COPILOT SIDE BY INSTALLING 720114-1 ON RH SIDE OF PEDAL (OPP OF WHAT IS SHOWN) which reinforces that that "link" is where the extension comes from.

[Fly Boomer]

Actually, @47U you made me feel  better about not understanding how this works.  Thanks!

[Fly Boomer]

And, regarding all rudder pedals being the same, there are some pictures and measurements of rudder pedals in the thread I referenced at the top by @DonMuncy that suggest that there may be different versions of the actual pedals.

[Igor_U]

7 minutes ago, 47U said:

So Mooney moved the pivot point of the rudder pedal to the rear hole, where the brake rod was attached, then made an extension to attached the brake rod further aft.  Is that right?  And all rudder pedals are the same pn?

 

yes, I believe that is correct - I didn't really look at the IPC to see how the pedals are installed on my airframe. The pedals look the same as on my 67F but I have no picture to confirm...

[Ragsf15e]

Great, now I’m gonna be upside down in my airplane, under the seat taking pictures…

Is this the 1.5” extension I circled?

 

[Fly Boomer]

If I understand correctly (big if), the 1.5-inch "extension" is done by using different holes in the rudder pedal casting itself, and then the "link" you have circled is needed to maintain the geometry for the brakes.

[Ragsf15e]

Interesting.  I’m not good ad drawings but that part is labeled “extension”.

[Fly Boomer]

Again, if I understand correctly, the 3-inch extension required additional parts because there was no part of the rudder pedal casting where additional holes would put the extension out that far.

[Igor_U]

1 hour ago, Ragsf15e said:

Great, now I’m gonna be upside down in my airplane, under the seat taking pictures…

Is this the 1.5” extension I circled?

 

yes, that's correct. In originals install pedal would be mounted to the other set of holes (nut visible on bottom left ) and brake rod end on the pedal hole you circled.

Now, that you mentioned it, I wonder what I have in my 67F. I spent some time under the panel but never paid any attention. I am 6'3.5" and always move  to the seat to the last stop on the seat rail and in flight I slide the seat to the pin stop for more legroom. 

 

Sunny and 29 deg. in SEA - too cold to spend any time in my hangar these days...