On 9/6/2005 14:39, Jon Kraus wrote:

Mark,

I thought when I first sat in our Mooney ('79 "J" model) that it seemed
tight also (compared to a 172 anyway). I have since grown used to the
sports-car like feel of it. I am 5'10 190# and I fit fine. My wife is
5'11 145# and she fits fine too. I believe that if you measured the
width it would be about the same as comparable planes (4 seaters).

Well, I'm 5' 9" and 280lb, so I'm a little wider ;-)


I agree though, that you seem to wear the Mooney. But the 155 kts on 10
GPH sure is nice!! :-)

That's really what would hurt when moving to a larger plane (not to
mention the purchase price ;-) )

It was hard to get in and out of, but I could get used to that. It
was the having to lean to one side that really bothered me. I'm not
sure that would be all that comfortable for more than just a short
period of time.

Thanks Jon.


Jon Kraus
'79 Mooney 201
4443H @ TYQ



Mark Hansen wrote:

I looked at a 1969 Mooney M20F over the weekend, and was surprised
to see how narrow it is in the cockpit. While sitting in the pilot's
seat, I was pushed to the right by the left side of the cabin, and
was not able to sit directly behind the control yoke.

Perhaps I'm just too big for this airplane? I thought the C172 was
a little cramped, but whew, this was really tight.

Is there a make/model airplane that provides a little more room
across the cockpit area that might be more comfortable for me?

I guess that having more space in the cockpit will mean more weight
and slower airspeeds given the same HP engine (generally, anyway...)

Thanks,




--
Mark Hansen, PP-ASEL, Instrument Student
Sacramento, CA