Bench seat - 3 kids - retrofit - any experience?

[MikkelDK]

Hi all !

 

Rather new to this forum, but contemplating quite much regarding becoming a mooniac.... 

 

I've been looking at several second hand bravos - and have a ton of questions. I've 3 kids that i would like to include in the back ( not the main mission, but the possibility would be very nice) 

 

Do anyone know if its possible to upgrade to this from a 2 seat rear configuration ? i've seen this:

 

https://www.mooney.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Retrofit-Kits.pdf

On the mooney website - is that whats needed ? 

 

https://www.mooney.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Bench-Seat-3-Passenger.pdf

 

Any thoughs, experience or similar is much appreciated. 

Best,

Mikkel

 

[Fly Boomer]

1 hour ago, MikkelDK said:

Hi all !

 

Rather new to this forum, but contemplating quite much regarding becoming a mooniac.... 

 

I've been looking at several second hand bravos - and have a ton of questions. I've 3 kids that i would like to include in the back ( not the main mission, but the possibility would be very nice) 

 

Do anyone know if its possible to upgrade to this from a 2 seat rear configuration ? i've seen this:

 

https://www.mooney.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Retrofit-Kits.pdf

On the mooney website - is that whats needed ? 

 

https://www.mooney.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Bench-Seat-3-Passenger.pdf

 

Any thoughs, experience or similar is much appreciated. 

Best,

Mikkel

 

Mikkel.

I cannot help with the 3-across rear seat, but welcome to MooneySpace.  This is an active community, so someone will come along that has an answer soon.  That said, today is our independence day, so it may be a slow day.

Here is a topic discussing this:

https://mooneyspace.com/topic/15122-3-kids-on-the-back-bench/

The search function provided by the forum software is not very good.  Best results are to search from your browser with a search string something like:

site:mooneyspace.com 3 people on rear seat

That uses the power of your browser's search function.

[Fritz1]

Bravos typically come with a UL of 850-950 lb, with 600 lb of fuel that leaves 250-350 lb., I took my rear seats out which saves about 30 lb, with this caveat the airplane has outstanding performance and conservatively operated it is very reliable, on the downside it is a two person airplane at best, I had 4 people in mine only once in 6 years on a short hop with MTOW takeoff

[MikkelDK]

Hi both!

 

appreciate your input, and The comments regarding The search function is noted.

i expect The Manu mission of this to be 90% 3-4hrs 1-2 People 500-800nm - and then would like The possibility of bringing 3 kids along on short 1-2 hrs flights when The chance arises. I Think that fits within The use case for The bravo quite well… right?

 

my question was regarding The ability to upgrade into having The bench because that would widen The possibilities when looking for a potential buy.

i’ve read The other thread but it wasnt really clear to me whether it was feasible or not.

/Mikkel

[LANCECASPER]

4 hours ago, MikkelDK said:

Hi all !

 

Rather new to this forum, but contemplating quite much regarding becoming a mooniac.... 

 

I've been looking at several second hand bravos - and have a ton of questions. I've 3 kids that i would like to include in the back ( not the main mission, but the possibility would be very nice) 

 

Do anyone know if its possible to upgrade to this from a 2 seat rear configuration ? i've seen this:

 

https://www.mooney.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Retrofit-Kits.pdf

On the mooney website - is that whats needed ? 

 

https://www.mooney.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Bench-Seat-3-Passenger.pdf

 

Any thoughs, experience or similar is much appreciated. 

Best,

Mikkel

 

I doubt that Mooney still makes that kit. Check with a Mooney Service Center to see if it's available to order.

[ilovecornfields]

I’d seriously consider a Bonanza or Saratoga. Maybe a turbo Lance?

[Jerry 5TJ]

5 minutes ago, ilovecornfields said:

I’d seriously consider a Bonanza or Saratoga. Maybe a turbo Lance?

Yes, or perhaps a Mirage.  

Theorem:  “If n is the number of seats in the plane, n-2 is the number of people who can comfortably fly in it.”  

[Parker_Woodruff]

Depending on your geography and if you want the kids with you as they grow...

• Piper Seneca IV, V
• TN A36 Bonanza
• Beech B58 Baron
• Piper Turbo Saratoga
• Cessna T-206H

[Hank]

4 hours ago, Jerry 5TJ said:

Yes, or perhaps a Mirage.  

Theorem:  “If n is the number of seats in the plane, n-2 is the number of people who can comfortably fly in it.”  

I've had 4 adults in my C several times. Range is reduced; with 4 guys, I was limited to 34 gallons, or 3 hours plus IFR reserves.

[1980Mooney]

On 7/4/2023 at 6:42 AM, MikkelDK said:

I've been looking at several second hand bravos - and have a ton of questions. I've 3 kids that i would like to include in the back ( not the main mission, but the possibility would be very nice) . Do anyone know if it’s possible to upgrade to this from a 2 seat rear configuration ? 

 

20 hours ago, ilovecornfields said:

I’d seriously consider a Bonanza or Saratoga. Maybe a turbo Lance?

 

20 hours ago, Jerry 5TJ said:

Theorem:  “If n is the number of seats in the plane, n-2 is the number of people who can comfortably fly in it.”  

 

17 hours ago, Parker_Woodruff said:

Depending on your geography and if you want the kids with you as they grow...

• Piper Seneca IV, V
• TN A36 Bonanza
• Beech B58 Baron
• Piper Turbo Saratoga
• Cessna T-206H

43 inches interior width excluding where armrests may protrude. That is about 14 inches per kid. I hope they enjoy being packed together for what will seem to them like an eternity. I don’t know the age or size of the children invoked but they won’t get smaller.  

The flip side is as they get older one or more of the kids will find (create) a reason that they can’t make the trip. Soon you will be traveling with 4 or 3 occupants max.  Maybe just 2. 
 

So a Mooney might fit your mission after all….

Edited July 5, 2023 by 1980Mooney

[LANCECASPER]

21 hours ago, M20Doc said:

The kit is $7500.00US with no stock shown at the factory.

And since they have no one in the upholstery shop at the factory, it's probably not going to happen.

[MikkelDK]

Hey Everyone

 

Thx for the comments. I conclude that it seems unlikely to get the retrokit - i'm going to check out the alternatives - but realistic its not gonna be a twin. I think the real alternative is maybe a Meridian once the finances, experience and need is all in place

For now i might be better off limiting the mission or looking at another type with 6 seats....

/Mikkel

[M20F]

Baggage compartments aren’t just for baggage….

[firelog1101]

By the time you start using it the kids will have grown enough to be uncomfortable in the back.  Look into an a36 bonanza. If you want cheaper perhaps a cherokee 6, but expect slower speeds.

[kortopates]

Kids have to be the most precious cargo we can possibly transport in our planes. Even though the FARs may allow putting more than one kid on a seat  with a seat belt, we all know these days vehicle safety standards for small kids include requirements for child-seats and booster seats that vary by child weight and age. I don't travel with small kids but this thread made me curious about the regs and a CDC site sent me to list of regulations by state to this site: https://www.iihs.org/topics/seat-belts/seat-belt-law-table It's requirements vary by state and the details get complicated. Seems a pilot that might be flying between states would want to ensure that at least being able to comply at both the departure and destination states to complete their journey via ground as well as follow the same guidance in the cockpit for the safety of the child. 

It was just a few days ago, we all read about an 8 year old grandson of a pilot perish in a Mooney crash. In 2020 CDC reported there were 607 child passengers ages 12 and younger that were killed in motor vehicle crashes in the United States and more than 63,000 were injured. Of the children who were killed in a crash, 38% were not buckled up. Haven't seen any stats for small planes but realizing their safety is about on a par with motorcycles it seems we should take all the precautions available to us.