light twin for a big guy
 

I am posting this here because I know alot of you are coming out of commercial and/or CFI's.

I have a 7 foot tall friend who is starting his ME training. He just drove down to florida to fly a 310. But, the problem is he cannot fit in it. His knees hit the dash and cannot bend down far enough to reach the rudders and the seat is fully extended back.

I believe that the same problem exists in the Duchess that I am using currently. Most pipers I know are fairly small. I have been in Senecas, Apaches, and Twin comanches and they are all fairly tight, even for me. I havent been in a seminole though.

My thoughts are maybe a Baron or even a King Air 90 (expensive I know), but I dont know many places that rent those for intial multi training.

Any of you guys out there have an idea?

Thanks alot.

The Aztec (aka Aztruck) is pretty roomy for a light twin. Plenty of max gross too.

Try to find an old Piper Aztec. They are good training platforms due to their heavy and stable nature. They are like a station wagon inside, once you get in the door.

Guess Rickair beat me to it!

I found the kingair 90 just as cramped getting into as a seneca

Never been in the aztec, but have heard good things about it

7 feet tall? Cripes. I'd seriously suggest to him that he figure out a way to sit in the cockpit of some of the aircraft types he would consider a career goal. He just might not fit in some of them.

He got in an Apache and didnt fit? I think the Apache has the same cabin dimensions as an Aztec. I fly a Baron and own a Apache and the Apache/Aztec seems to have twice the room upfront.JMO FLY SAFE T.C.

what did he do his se training in???

...go gators

The Aztec is going to be pricey with fuel to build time in... but that is probably the best choice...

I am 6'9" so I am in the same height range as your friend.

I did all my ME training in a Piper Seminole and did not have any problems fitting in the aircraft. Perhaps also a Dutchess. I was able to fly but it was very uncomfortable. If he can withstand it for just ME training it could also be a possibility.

He should be careful with the aircraft he flies. I have rejected flying some aircraft because my long legs would get in the way of the yoke during single engine ops. Light Cessna twins come to mind and smaller turboprops.

Where about in FL is your friend, perhaps I can recommend some flight schools with a PA-44.

He'll fit fine in an apache. It's just like an aztec but you're only burning 150hp of fuel per side rather than 230hp (i think it's 230).

Plus the cheapest twins I've ever seen rented were all apaches.

BINGO.

AWAC has a captain that is at least 6'7" and the poor guy is absolutely CRAMMED into the CRJ...too bad he went into the training department, there haven't been many "clown car" jokes recently:D

I fly an aztec and I am 6'4, but there is plenty of room left. It is nice and rommy once inside like someone else stated. Usually can get it leaned out to about 24-26 gph, and they are 250hp engines. Piper's very last model of the Apache was called the Aztec with de-rated engines at 230hp. I have about 90+ hours in the Aztec and it is a very fun and safe plane to learn in!

Actually, I believe is was called an Apache 235 and had 235hp Lycs.

I'm only 5'6''.... owned an aztec e model and hit my knees several times on the dash doing single engine crap. Then again I had the seat jammed nearly all the way forward so I could reach the pedals 80) Just my $.02

I am 6'6" and have over 100 hours in the "Truk", and 50 in the Duchess. Go with the Aztek. Yeah, its pricey, but when all 500 horses are turning and kicking butt, its well worth it.

The Aztec's cabin is wider and the seats can kick back a little ways to accomodate us tall folks.

Plus, you have to be that close to put all that rudder pressure in when the left engine goes!!!

Yeah, and I hope you are flying a late model one with the optional dual hydraulic pumps, because if you only have one it is brilliantly fitted to the left (critical) engine. Not only do you get to deal with the critical engine being out, now you also get to pump down the gear.

All the more reason for the bastard to be the critical engine. The one I flew in fact did not have the optional pump. I did at one point in my training have the "luxury" of "getting" to pump the gear down. I had to circle for about 10 minutes until I got 3 green and one in the mirror. My instructor laughed at me the whole time and said that everyone should have that experience that at least once in their training.

His advice: think about slamming the gear down while the left prop is still turning providing the hydro-pump with pressure. Then once its down, feather it off and secure. Yeah...that was MUCH easier.

Or even better, enjoy losing the left engine on takeoff just prior to gear retraction. Have fun getting that gear up to have something of single engine climb performance. An Azwreck will climb nicely with 250 horses, IF the gear is in the wells.