Rudder pedal Extension - Pro's and Con's

[FlyDave]

All,

I've seen a couple of people post about rudder pedal extensions (Parker & Amelia) and I'd like your thoughts on them: functionality, comfort, ease of operation, adjustability, similarity to stock pedals, 1.5" vs. 3" - any differences?

I think the 1.5" would work fine but it would be nice to push back a little more. I'm 5'5" and prefer to fly with my sneakers as they "provide the most lift" for me.

Thanks,

[N6843N]

When I lived in Yucca Valley my neighbor, who was 5'5", had 3" extensions installed. He said they were perfect for him. I had a hard time with them, they put me to far away from the instrument panel, I'm 5'10".

[Rustler]

Dave--

I've got 3" extensions in my J--put them in when I purchased it-- and couldn't fly nearly so comfortably as I do without them.  As I get older and shorter, I suspect I'll be even happier that I installed them. They make braking easier and allow you to get back a little from the instrument panel in cruise.

 

[Amelia]

I just put the 1.5" extensions on, and they do help. The difference is subtle, as you might expect, but at least I can do without the booster cushion under and behind me. I still have the seat all the way forward at takeoff, but now feel comfortable easing it back one notch during cruise, which is a bit better. In retrospect, I believe the 3" would have been better for me- at 5'3", but they were enough more expensive and troublesome to install that I went with the short ones. Installing them was a bit of a pain, as both mechanic and I had not pushed ourselves away from the dinner table nearly often enough to feel comfortable head-first under the panel. Removing the pilot's seat is a must.

In order to get a feel for which size I needed, I figured that a 2x4 board is actually 1.5" thick, so cut off four 4" chunks, took them and some fat rubber bands to the airport, and tried sitting in my seat with one block rubber-banded to each pedal, and then tried it with two blocks attached to each pedal... gave a rough idea of which one fit best.

Between the new and much thicker seat upholstery (ahhhh!) and the pedal extensions, life is a good bit better on long trips.

[Piloto]

Amelia

Anyone around with a band saw and a drill press can easily fabricate the extension links from a piece of aluminum or steel. Use the 1" ones you have as a reference but make the new ones longer. It saves you time and money and they can be tailor to your desired length.

José

 

 

[Amelia]

I have the drawings for both sizes, if anybody wants them to see what comes in the factory kit and what's involved in the installation. I admit I was surprised to see how very little hardware I actually bought for my $$$-- and how long it took to install just the simple ones. Of course, the JB Weld holding the old pedal cotter pins in didn't help. The single most valuable tool turned out to be a hemostat, oddly enough.

[fantom]

Wouldn't elevator shoes accomplish the same goal?

[FlyDave]

Quote: Amelia

I have the drawings for both sizes, if anybody wants them to see what comes in the factory kit and what's involved in the installation.

[Amelia]

Wow- I feel SO popular all of a sudden.  Unfortunately, the drawings are not electronic, and the pages are big- regular drafting paper size, so hard copy is all I have. And I have three people- so far- who are interested in them. If I send the 1.5 drawings to one guy, the 3" ones to another, could y'all then pass them along to whoever else wants 'em?

[N9937c]

there is a pair of 3" extensions on EBAY now for $300.00 buy it now. search mooney.

larry

[Ned Gravel]

Quote: Amelia

Wow- I feel SO popular all of a sudden. 

..

If I send the 1.5 drawings to one guy, the 3" ones to another, could y'all then pass them along to whoever else wants 'em?

[seebruce]

The extensions on eBay don't look like my rudder pedals. There is a lot of extra bracketry bolted to them. They must be from a early model or they were field modified. I believe the extensions are merely flat plates about 3/4' wide that uses the existing holes in the side of the pedals.

I wonder if Amelia could use a digital camera and take a picture of the drawings and post them. Just a thought, might work.

[Amelia]

I'll give that a try. Quality isn't great, but at least you can zoom in on the big file enough to read it.

[Amelia]

On second thought, I think the plan is to mail them to Ned Gravel, who can pass them along digitally to anybody who wants to see what all that money will buy- besides a nice little shipping carton with LOTS of room inside.

[seebruce]

Amelia, Can you tell me if the 3" plans show all the bracketry that is shown in the pictures on eBay?

[Amelia]

Looks very similar to the drawing I have. The 3" ones are more involved than the simple little 1.5" flat plate I have, but if you opted to use his pedals, it would be fairly simple to install-- I think. Hey, it's only $26-- (and three days to go.)

[seebruce]

Do you know if the 3" mod requires a 337?

[Amelia]

No clue.... sorry.

[Ned Gravel]

I have scanned the two drawings that Amelia sent me.  They are drawings 720115, sheets 1 and 2.  About 500 Kb each.  Please e-mail me if you want to receive them.

As for the originals, if Amelia does not want them back, they should probably go to a good MSC. I have one in mind, but the decision is Amelia's

Both documents say "proprietary information" on them, sort of preventing me from simply posting them to the site.  I don't think the factory is going to have any heartache with this, if we treat the priviledge with some respect.

 

[Rustler]

Bruce--

I just looked through my paperwork and couldn't find that we did a 337 for the installation of the 3" pedal extensions. We did a logbook entry, however. I'll look again for a 337, but I don't think one exists.

[Bob]

Every time I see a link on pedal extensions, I am asking myself how anyone can have shorter legs than me.  I am 5ft 6in and my 30in jeans rub on the ground.  When I get in my 231, I never have to adjust my seat, I just move it all the way forward and lock it.  The pedals feel real good.  Are you guys that are wanting the extensions shorter?  Or is the pedal linkage adjustable and mine may be adjusted for short people like me?  Is this issue a bigger problem with a longer or shorter Mooney body?

[FlyDave]

Quote: ILXLR8

Every time I see a link on pedal extensions, I am asking myself how anyone can have shorter legs than me.  I am 5ft 6in and my 30in jeans rub on the ground.  When I get in my 231, I never have to adjust my seat, I just move it all the way forward and lock it.  The pedals feel real good.  Are you guys that are wanting the extensions shorter?  Or is the pedal linkage adjustable and mine may be adjusted for short people like me?  Is this issue a bigger problem with a longer or shorter Mooney body?

[Rustler]

You're right, Dave.

It is your position relative to the instrument panel when you're pulled up all the way. Not only is headroom a problem, but that position makes it very difficult to operate the control wheel properly; your ability to pull back on the yoke is severely limited. Ditto the comment on the aluminum chart holder.  Being 3" back makes a world of difference.

 

[Amelia]

Do you know a  GOOD MSC? Do share!

And how I'd love grow to 5'6" with a 30" inseam!

 

[Ned Gravel]

Quote: Amelia

Do you know a  GOOD MSC? Do share!

And how I'd love grow to 5'6" with a 30" inseam!