Embarrassingly Short legs. Cant reach rudder pedals

Mrs. SixPapaCharlie

Mrs. SixPapaCharlie

Pre-takeoff checklist
Joined
May 25, 2014
Messages
392
Location
Texas
Display Name
Display name:
Eren
Good morning Everyone.

So I am flying the sessna 171 or maybe 172..
It is the one with the front wings on top and the spinny thing on the front.

So anyway My husband 6PC also trained in this plane. He is simply amazing.
He soloed on his first lesson. True story
He then taught the instructor a few things while inventing string theory.

Where was I.
Oh yes so my husband has amazing long muscular silky smooth legs.
All 3 of them *wink wink* Ya pickin up what I am laying down?

Ok but I was cursed with mole people legs.
I mean I am proportioned just fine but when it comes to how I am built
and flying, it is a little " Oompa, Loompa, doom-pa-dee-do" if you know what I mean.

Have I mentioned how awesome my husband is?
Dude its like if McGuyver had a baby with McGuyver,
The offspring would aspire to be Bryan.

So my instructor showed me that I can raise the seat in the plane so
I can see over the dashboard and I can reach the steering wheel just
fine but I have trouble reaching the brake and gas I mean rudder pedals.

Is there something I can get that will help me?
We discussed a cushion of sorts to push me forward a bit.
I have a lesson tomorrow morning so I would like to try something
makeshift but then for later flights maybe one of you has dealt with
this or knows of a creative solution which I have not yet thought of?

I would ask Bryan but he is busy generating money that he graciously hands out to the family
on an as needed basis and I shall not interrupt that flow with silly questions that don't involve discussing his abs.

Ok so anyway, I will check back and see if anyone has any suggestions.

Until then, I will run along and leave my computer unlocked and
logged into POA because I can't remember passwords.

I usually ask 6PC. His mind is like a steel trap.
Just lightning fast and simply Brilliant.
The Mensa people were actually going to name their corporation
"Bryan" but he copyrighted his name and sold it to a hot dog company.
Hopefully some of you have had his hot dogs in your mouths and enjoyed it.

Ok, I gotta go, I just saw something shiny
 


But, you could try and get some boots like Paul Stanley wore.
 
All you can do is put a cushion behind your back. Get 6PC (McGuyver) to whip one up for you! :rolleyes:
Whenever I do Pinch Hitter flights, bringing a cushion of some sort is 'standard equipment'. I even had a young lady who needed a cushion in the Skycatcher (which has adjustable rudder pedals). She is now a private pilot and flies other planes - with her cushion.
 
LOL. I see the writing style runs in the family... ;)

I am also "long torsoed" (I prefer to look at the positives, not the negatives of having "legs that are too short") and have found that the best way for me is to position the seat as necessary to reach all of the controls. Then, what you see is what you see... provided you can actually see outside. Your sight picture will be different than someone who is 6' 3" and my sight picture will be different than someone who is my same height, but isn't so torso-blessed.

In a 172, I move the seat all the way forward and then back one click. I also like the seat to be as high as possible, while still allowing me to comfortably reach the rudder pedals (because it'll give me a better view). But, unfortunately, my amazing torso length keeps me from seeing as much as, say, my Dad... who slides the seat halfway back and sits higher up.

As long as you position the seat the same way every time, though, you'll learn THAT sight picture and shouldn't have any more issues than anyone else. (Again, provided you can actually see outside. And, if not, just skip the PPL and get your IR right away... there's less looking outside. ;))
 
I think Mrs. PC's bigger problem is that her POA account has been hacked.
 
Oh, wow. Mrs. 6PC is either going to laugh or cry. Or both. You are a braver man than I, Bryan. Good luck.
 
Sac Arrow said:
I think Mrs. PC's bigger problem is that her POA account has been hacked.
Click to expand...
I was wondering if anyone else had noticed that.
I think that long third leg of his is really a broomstick that someone planted there.
 
Also, I will see if I can take some time away from my busy schedule to craft
something both artfully and tastefully but at the same time functional to assist you.
In the meantime, lets keep an eye on this thread and see if others have had
similar issues and can offer solutions.
 
JOhnH said:
I was wondering if anyone else had noticed that.
I think that long third leg of his is really a broomstick that someone planted there.
Click to expand...

Probably will be tonight.







If I'm lucky
Wait what? :dunno:
 
I give personal leg lengthening therapy. Requirements: Female, under 150lbs, within 200 miles of the DFW area, no alcohol allergies, must own a few skin tight leotards.

:devil::cheerswine:

Slightly more serious, you can look to find a Bonanza as they have adjustable rudder pedals that come further out from the floor. However, ab-initio training in a Bonanza is fraught with other problem; Like you'll fall in love with it and never, ever sit in a Cessna again!
 
docmirror said:
I give personal leg lengthening therapy. Requirements: Female, under 150lbs, within 200 miles of the DFW area, no alcohol allergies, must own a few skin tight leotards.

:devil::cheerswine:

Slightly more serious, you can look to find a Bonanza as they have adjustable rudder pedals that come further out from the floor. However, ab-initio training in a Bonanza is fraught with other problem; Like you'll fall in love with it and never, ever sit in a Cessna again!
Click to expand...

I wasn't crazy about the bo. I have been in 2.
It is about the sturdiest feeling plane I have been in but I feel like I am
too close to the panel.

Feels like it is carved out of a solid piece of iron though.
 
SixPapaCharlie said:
I wasn't crazy about the bo. I have been in 2.
It is about the sturdiest feeling plane I have been in but I feel like I am
too close to the panel.

Feels like it is carved out of a solid piece of iron though.
Click to expand...

Thats what you took from that! :D

I tend to agree, the panel seems closer than in other planes. Maybe it is, but it's noticably closer than the Grumman AA5. Another reason my first mod was four point harness. The seat back can be adjusted for rake angle, although most Bo owners don't even know that. It helps a bit to angle the seat back some.
 
I would tape some wood blocks on the pedals like we did when we were kids. While you are at it I would cloths pin a playing card to the prop so it makes that cool engine noise when it goes around.
 
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Wives.

Can't live with em, can't feed them to the feral hogs.
 
I like Bo's. Debs too. They are a joy to fly, except the horrid flap system, awkward panel layout and vernier throttle. At least on the older ones.
 
I hold the STC on the playing card thing so send me $50 and I will send you a copy.
 
DFH65 said:
I would tape some wood blocks on the pedals like we did when we were kids. While you are at it I would cloths pin a playing card to the prop so it makes that cool engine noise when it goes around.
Click to expand...

Right? Hasn't she ever seen Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom? Short Round does this exact thing while he's driving the getaway car.
 
You all are so helpful with this thread, everyone, so let me ask for one other thing:

Did we get anywhere on that hitman thread? Any recommendations? No reason. Just curious.

TIA!
 
see what happens when you leave your browser logged in?

x2 on seat cushion behind your back, and rudder pedal extensions.

Or, put the seat all the way down and get busy on your instrument rating. :D
 
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My first CFI needed extra cushions on her seat. The problem some people have with moving the seat far enough forward to reach the rudder pedals is that not the yoke can run out of rear travel. I know I've seen pedal extensions - I don't know if there are any technicalities on installing them.
 
I believe the FSDOs have been advised by the administrator to make every accommodation for those 'alternately abled'. So, calling it a disability achievement device should grease the wheels of acceptance when it comes to having a rudder pedal mod approved.

Another way to go is shoe lifts? Spike heels? Maybe those shoes with the small aquarium and goldfish inside? Well, maybe not that far.
 
This is precisely why my wife always clicks on the "log out" button when she leaves facebook.
 
docmirror said:
I believe the FSDOs have been advised by the administrator to make every accommodation for those 'alternately abled'. So, calling it a disability achievement device should grease the wheels of acceptance when it comes to having a rudder pedal mod approved.

Another way to go is shoe lifts? Spike heels? Maybe those shoes with the small aquarium and goldfish inside? Well, maybe not that far.
Click to expand...
KISS boots?

Mr. 6PC would surely approve...
 
MAKG1 said:
Either that or 6PC has a really sick second personality and Eren doesn't really exist.
Click to expand...

That has occurred to me. Maybe this is more of a Ron Levy question, but if you have multiple personalities, do you have to take multiple check rides?
 
Sac Arrow said:
That has occurred to me. Maybe this is more of a Ron Levy question, but if you have multiple personalities, do you have to take multiple check rides?
Click to expand...

Who gets to be PIC?

Can you log solo?

All kinds questions - we need answers!
 
You two must be a hoot at a cocktail party...
 
If 6PC wouldn't mind, just have the instructor sit in the left seat and you can shimmy between his legs. That should move you sufficiently forward. The reach arounds, er, yoke adjustment, er, corrections, will be much easier in that position. Hell, he may even let you solo early too :)
 
Funniest post I've read, anywhere, in a very long time. Thx for the laugh!
Gary
 
Rudder pedal extensions...
 

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