Will I fit ok in a Mooney?

[benpilot]

 

I am short 5'6" and have short legs would I be able to fit ok in a Mooney? Sorry to ask a dumb question but I heard that Mooney were designed for tall men with very long legs.

[Openwheeler3]

I'm 5' 7" and have no problems in my m20c.

[Bob_Belville]

I'm 5'8" 225, the prior owner of my E was 6'4". The seat track accommodates anyone, even girls.   Though I'd don't think I'd like to sit behind a 6'4" pilot in a short C or E. And there's plenty of headroom if you need to add a seat cushion. Note the headroom in this video:

 

[benpilot]

Cool thanks after I have my PPL then I will get checked out on the club Mooney 252 to see how I like it. The Socata is nice

but more expensive for less performance than a Mooney.

[201er]

 

 

I am short 5'6" and have short legs would I be able to fit ok in a Mooney? Sorry to ask a dumb question but I heard that Mooney were designed for tall men with very long legs.

 

The problem is that the people behind you will have so much room, they won't know what to do with it! :lol:

[trey]

Hi Skynewbie. I'm 5'7" and I don't have any problems in an M20C. I keep my seat at stop #2 of 6 available stops.

[Becca]

I am 5'6", and I use 3" rudder pedal extensions in my 201.  I could fit without them, but I'd have to pull my seat up REALLY close to the yoke which I do not like.  What I will say is that all those comparisons about Mooneys having as much volume as Bonanzas are based with the idea you can sit with your seat all the way back and your legs stretched forward, pulling your seat forward to fly definitely reduces your volume available.  But it works.

[flyboy0681]

I think I'm the "smallest" one here at 5' 4", 130. I crank the seat all the way up and park pull myself in the second row of holes and enjoy excellent visibility over the panel and can apply full rudder.

[benpilot]

Nice well I look forward to fly a Mooney this summer after I have my pilot license

If I like it then I will most likely become a fellow Mooniac.

[carusoam]

Beware...

Flying a Mooney can be adictive...

Fair warning.

Best regards,

-a-

[Marauder]

The only pilots who have problems fitting into a Mooney are the ones with BIG egos. They can never get their heads through the door.

[PMcClure]

Where are you located - maybe someone can let you climb in and try it on. Heck, if your close, it could be another good reason to go flying!

 

We had a 4" matching cushion made up for our F-Model. I am 6-2" and my partner was 5'7". We all wound up using it at various times. 

[benpilot]

 

I live in northern California close to Palo Alto and San Jose (KPAO and KSJC) are by me. I would love to experience a Mooney flight! So far I am looking at either a Mooney or Beechcraft once I have my wings and complex/high performance endorsements. One friend has a Beechcraft Debonair that I was able to hitch a flight in but I prefer Mooney looks to it. So its down to Mooney and Beechcraft Bonanza! I am training on a Cessna 172SP and will do high performance on Cessna 182T and complex on Cessna 177 Cardinal then get trained on either Mooney or Beechcraft. Only downside to Mooney I've heard is that they are more difficult to land than a Beechcraft Bonanza. I think that once I've flown both then can make the final decision. At least for under 200k, I can have a fast fun plane! The Diamonds and Cirrus cost 4x more for less or similar level of performance!

[carusoam]

If you like easy to land airplanes stick with the Cessna...

If you like fast and efficient airplanes, get trained in a Mooney. It only takes proper training. Flying fast requires a little responsibility.

Even the Cessna lands better with good training and following procedures....

You don't need to be super-human. It's your choice!

Best regards,

-a-

[benpilot]

 

Well for me fast and efficient is my goal. Long term the mission is to buy an airpark home and commute 1-2x a week to work in the bay area. Reason is besides enjoyment of flying, for me I can buy a home, plane and fly to bay area for less than what a tiny home costs in Palo Alto. 

[carusoam]

The above post was trying to be encouraging. I trained in a Cessna 152 and flew about 100 hours total before getting an M20C.

Mooneys go fast because they are "slippery". To stop in time, it requires a small amount of speed control. Anyone can do it.

Not everyone wants to...

Best regards,

-a-

[Bob_Belville]

I trained in a 150 (in 1969,) did one cross country trip in a 172, joined a flying club, checked out in a Cherokee and started flying a Mooney @ 2 weeks after private check ride and 53 hours TT. Never looked back,

[Hank]

Like Bob, I trained in Cessnas but all 172s. Took me 6 weeks to buy my Mooney, though, with 62 hours in my logbook.

You will need a good transition CFI, though. I used my Mooney to get complex endorsement and Instrument rating. You won't need High Performance if you buy any model A-J; Ks are 210 hp and it goes up from there. Your club 252 will require it, but will also require transition training; that's the perfect time to get that endorsement, I got my Complex at that time.

[benpilot]

 

We have some instructors who are Mooney pilots at Sundance Flying Club at KPAO who can train me on the club Mooney 252 after I have my complex/high performance endorsements and PPL. Depending on my funds when it comes time to shop for a plane, ideally I'd like either a Mooney Bravo, Ovation or 252. Worst case, I'd be happy with a Mooney 201J to start with. 

[brettinlj]

I think I met you the other day after flying the Mooney at Sundance. Keep us updated on your PPL. You may want to consider getting your instrument rating as a next step as the utility and increased skill you get from doing that will be a better return on investment. After those extra hours, the transition to the Mooney would be just that much easier (and cheaper).

 

 

 

We have some instructors who are Mooney pilots at Sundance Flying Club at KPAO who can train me on the club Mooney 252 after I have my complex/high performance endorsements and PPL. Depending on my funds when it comes time to shop for a plane, ideally I'd like either a Mooney Bravo, Ovation or 252. Worst case, I'd be happy with a Mooney 201J to start with. 

 

[benpilot]

 

I do plan to get my instrument rating after PPL and the required high performance/complex endorsements. Plus I can knock IR out quickly with 20 hours in the simulator with an instructor and pass the test then finish up the flights in a Piper before moving to a Mooney.

[jetdriven]

Don't be so confident you can pass the instrument rating so quickly. Its harder and takes more time than you think.

[carusoam]

Confidence is good. Thinking ahead helps.

Keep working the plan. Don't get dissapointed if things don't go as fast as the initial plan. Rework the plan when necessary.

Maintain the positive attitude... Move forwards...

What's in the schedule this week?

Best regards,

-a-

[flyboy0681]

Don't be so confident you can pass the instrument rating so quickly. Its harder and takes more time than you think.

 

I'm living testament to that, but the end is in sight,

[autopatch]

I am 5'6", and I use 3" rudder pedal extensions in my 201.  I could fit without them, but I'd have to pull my seat up REALLY close to the yoke which I do not like.

 

I'm 5'9" and have a 1977 201 M20J and the trouble that I have is reaching the fuel selector switch on the floor under my legs while the seat is in the correct position for full rudder authority. If the seat is back far enough so that it is comfortable (relatively) to reach and manipulate the swtich then my feet are barely on the pedals.

 

Since I do not believe that there is an STC to move the swtich, I think my choices are the rudder pedal extensions or to lose 30 lbs and take up yoga.

 

As I understand it, they moved the switch within a few years in the J and subsequent models to the floor near the center console so that both pilots could reach it.