Alternate ways to slide seat forward/backward?

[Quantum Blueberry]

Howdy! I've made a few posts here before asking about fitting in a Mooney, and I'm glad to say I've now had the chance to sit in one. Long story short, I'm a big guy, and my thighs are big enough that I can't really get my hand between them to slide the seat forward and backward. (Main issue is that my knee hits the right wall since its boxed in, so I can't just move the leg out of the way) That aside, I find it to be fairly comfortable. I currently have a Cherokee 140 that's serving me fairly well, but the paint on it has gone from bad to VERY BAD over the course of the past 6 months or so due to the past temperature cycle. I can't even get more than 105 kts out of it in straight and level at 2k ft at full power, when thats supposed to be a 70% cruise, more than likely due to the drag from the flaking paint. Expensive annual and all that blah blah the old owner didn't take care of it. Right now we're considering getting the aircraft painted and the only other option price wise in our budget realistically would be selling the Cherokee and getting a Mooney. Before chucking a bunch of money into the plane meat grinder, I wanted to fully explore the available options. The only real problem with Mooneys like I said was the seat bar to bring me forward so I can actually reach the controls. Are there any Mooney pilots with ideas on how to potentially make the bar easier to reach? (minus cutting a few pounds, already a WIP but don't want to delay time building if I can avoid it). Thanks!

Note: Whatever plane we end up landing on is more than likely going to be staying in my family for a long while, so I'm trying to make sure that we pick correctly now instead of later. Apologies for any miswording, writing this up fairly late at night after doing a decent bit of research.

[takair]

I suppose one could put a rope on the bar and have it come up between one’s legs. A secondary, and greater issue, would be ability to reach to fuel selector.   Some people who can’t reach it add an extension but that too would be between one’s legs. Be sure that is not an issue for you. And not to be stacking on, but I know that the space between seats can get a little tight when manipulating the Johnson bar or trim… just be sure you are able to comfortably do those things.

[Quantum Blueberry]

If I remember correctly when I was sitting in it for whatever reason I think I was able to reach the fuel, just not the seat. But I may be wrong. Maybe in the moment I was just thinking the same thing, just a 3d printed extender or something? It was a little while ago. I've also had the rope idea but I don't know how well that would work beyond the first time sliding it forward/backward or if it got dropped since I would then be stuck, but then again its better than nothing. 

[M20F]

I have learned from this forum that Mooney’s are so spacious compared to other planes that you could comfortably put two circus elephants in the front seats.  
 
Enjoy!

[takair]

1 hour ago, Quantum Blueberry said:

If I remember correctly when I was sitting in it for whatever reason I think I was able to reach the fuel, just not the seat. But I may be wrong. Maybe in the moment I was just thinking the same thing, just a 3d printed extender or something? It was a little while ago. I've also had the rope idea but I don't know how well that would work beyond the first time sliding it forward/backward or if it got dropped since I would then be stuck, but then again its better than nothing. 

It’s strange, been flying these planes for over 25 years and I’m not sure I could tell you exactly how I grab the lever normally. I think it may be possible to actuate it from the outboard side of the seat. It likely depends on the year of the plane. Mine has the handle going left to right and is accessible from the outside. I know I’ve helped passengers from my seat, although it’s a stretch. 

[Pinecone]

The fuel selector is in different places on different models.  My 252 has it between the seats.

The sump drain is on the floor in front of the pilot seat.

I would put a web strap from the latch bar to the front lip of the seat.  That way you just need to get your hand far enough between your legs to reach the strap.  Not your whole arm.   

Also, I am pretty sure I can reach the latch bar from between the seats.

[PT20J]

Whatever you do, I would think it through very carefully. You don't want something that could cause the seat to unlatch accidentally as this could kill you on takeoff and you don't want something that isn't foolproof in a emergency where you need to get out of the airplane quickly. I would discuss it with my A&P. The lever is lower on seats with vertical adjustment.

[Paul Thomas]

It would seem that moving the sit back would be trickier than forward in that situation; I'd make sure I have to exit strategy in place.

[Planegary]

To move my seat I grab the bar at the corner of the seat by the gear handle like others have mentioned  it works well for me since I have short arms but watch out for other controls as mentioned by others such as the fuel selector and make sure you can manipulate all controls as needed 

[Bartman]

Leg room side to side may be model dependent. I have the early J with the quadrant levers and it does box in the legs. Other models with push/pull engine controls on the panel without the quadrant should have more leg room. 

[LANCECASPER]

On 6/10/2025 at 4:54 AM, Quantum Blueberry said:

I currently have a Cherokee 140 that's serving me fairly well, but the paint on it has gone from bad to VERY BAD over the course of the past 6 months or so due to the past temperature cycle. I can't even get more than 105 kts out of it in straight and level at 2k ft at full power, when thats supposed to be a 70% cruise, more than likely due to the drag from the flaking paint.

Flaking paint isn't going to make a huge difference in cruise speed on a 125 knot aitplane, maybe 3-4 knots at the very most, but probably not even that much on a Cherokee 140.

I would start looking at other areas. How is the rigging - a question only answered by someone that is a Cherokee guru? Is your engine tired and not producing rated HP?

[takair]

To follow up on my previous post, flew this evening and realized I grab the adjustment bar on the inboard corner, not between my legs…

[Jim Peace]

On 6/10/2025 at 5:54 AM, Quantum Blueberry said:

Long story short, I'm a big guy,

I can't even get more than 105 kts out of it in straight and level at 2k ft at full power, when thats supposed to be a 70% cruise, more than likely due to the drag from the flaking paint.

Could be due to a "very" forward CG....