mrdan27611
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- May 30, 2016
- Messages
- 156
- Reaction score
- 112
Hi,
I just introduced myself over at the intro section (http://www.piperforum.com/showthread.php?p=118113#post118113) so no need for redundancy here.
In looking for an airplane, I've run into an issue. I'm 6'5" tall, 200 pounds, but my body shape is such that most of my height is in my torso. It makes me the equivalent of about 6'8" tall when sitting down. When I was at the AOPA fly in this month, I took the time to sit in every aircraft that I could that was available on the ramp. I was able to fit comfortably in exactly ZERO of the planes. Some I simply bumped my head against the ceiling (DA 42) meaning there was no room for a headset. Some I had to hold my head sideways to sit down (Cirrus, 58 Baron). I sat in two seaters, four seaters, singles, twins, and even the TMB 950. All were too small for me. Some were not so bad I couldn't deal, but add in a headset and there is a definite problem. Add in turbulence as well and it's headache time.
In my previous flying career, I flew a Cessna 340 and a King Air 200. The 340 had ok head room, the KA had plenty.
I'm looking to either get a fun airplane, something the kids can learn to fly in and something that I can get $100 hamburgers in, or to get what I think is the plane for us, a Piper Saratoga (5 people total in the family).
My question is this, does anyone have a PA32 in or near Raleigh, NC? The headroom should be the same on any of them. I just want to sit in the seat and see if I can fit before I go farther down the path of looking. I literally need 5 minutes of time to see how the fit is. I know I could probably go hang out at the airport and eventually meet someone and ask, but I don't have the time to sit around and hope. I also don't want to lurk around the airport and be a beggar. I know I could ask a broker and feign interest in their particular airplane but I'd prefer to just be straight up.
Thank you for any help or suggestions. Also, if anyone has dealt with this situation before and can recommend an aircraft, I'd be appreciative. I'm going to end up with a Stearman at this rate with my head hanging out breeze.
I just introduced myself over at the intro section (http://www.piperforum.com/showthread.php?p=118113#post118113) so no need for redundancy here.
In looking for an airplane, I've run into an issue. I'm 6'5" tall, 200 pounds, but my body shape is such that most of my height is in my torso. It makes me the equivalent of about 6'8" tall when sitting down. When I was at the AOPA fly in this month, I took the time to sit in every aircraft that I could that was available on the ramp. I was able to fit comfortably in exactly ZERO of the planes. Some I simply bumped my head against the ceiling (DA 42) meaning there was no room for a headset. Some I had to hold my head sideways to sit down (Cirrus, 58 Baron). I sat in two seaters, four seaters, singles, twins, and even the TMB 950. All were too small for me. Some were not so bad I couldn't deal, but add in a headset and there is a definite problem. Add in turbulence as well and it's headache time.
In my previous flying career, I flew a Cessna 340 and a King Air 200. The 340 had ok head room, the KA had plenty.
I'm looking to either get a fun airplane, something the kids can learn to fly in and something that I can get $100 hamburgers in, or to get what I think is the plane for us, a Piper Saratoga (5 people total in the family).
My question is this, does anyone have a PA32 in or near Raleigh, NC? The headroom should be the same on any of them. I just want to sit in the seat and see if I can fit before I go farther down the path of looking. I literally need 5 minutes of time to see how the fit is. I know I could probably go hang out at the airport and eventually meet someone and ask, but I don't have the time to sit around and hope. I also don't want to lurk around the airport and be a beggar. I know I could ask a broker and feign interest in their particular airplane but I'd prefer to just be straight up.
Thank you for any help or suggestions. Also, if anyone has dealt with this situation before and can recommend an aircraft, I'd be appreciative. I'm going to end up with a Stearman at this rate with my head hanging out breeze.
