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Rudder pedal extensions
Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 12:17 pm
by bagarre
Has anyone ever tried these?
http://www.sportys.com/pilotshop/product/9672
My wife is starting to fly the 170 and can't fully reach the rudder pedals. I'd rather not go the seat cushion route as we just reupholstered the seats. I'd like her to be as comfortable as I am while flying. A custom cushion in the same material as the seats will probably run as much as the pedal extensions.
Thoughts?
Re: Rudder pedal extensions
Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 1:59 pm
by edbooth
bagarre wrote:Has anyone ever tried these?
http://www.sportys.com/pilotshop/product/9672
My wife is starting to fly the 170 and can't fully reach the rudder pedals. I'd rather not go the seat cushion route as we just reupholstered the seats. I'd like her to be as comfortable as I am while flying. A custom cushion in the same material as the seats will probably run as much as the pedal extensions.
Thoughts?
How about some 1970's elevator shoes

?
Re: Rudder pedal extensions
Posted: Wed May 21, 2014 12:34 pm
by flyguy
If I can find them I have a pair of the old style pedals with the "short folks" extension. I'm not sure but if I remember correctly it was a factory option. I'll look but anyone knowing me - it might take a while.
Re: Rudder pedal extensions
Posted: Wed May 21, 2014 12:44 pm
by bagarre
Thanks! If you find them, are you willing to sell them?
Re: Rudder pedal extensions
Posted: Wed May 21, 2014 1:25 pm
by Bruce Fenstermacher
David, your in luck if you like those Sporty's extensions. The 170 pedals were changed from the early to later version at serial 20609 so your 170 serial 20633 should have the later pedals pn 0310453 which is the same pedal as the '56 172 or the '53 180 and there is a version that fits those.
You might get a little free extension for the price of safety wire. If your pedals are adjusted to close to the firewall (less than 6") tighten the rudder cables evenly at the rudder cable turnbuckles until the peddles have at least the 6". The service manual calls for 6-1/2" for some models and if you can get that AND nothing in the pedal/brake master cylinder linkage binds through full movement, then why not get that extra 1/2". You will be limited how much you can get by the turnbuckles bottoming out or the pedal/master cylinder linkage binding.
IF your 170 was experimental, you could shorten the two metal tabs that go between the turnbuckles and the rudder horn as well.
Re: Rudder pedal extensions
Posted: Wed May 21, 2014 1:58 pm
by bagarre
A while back, we adjusted the pedal/cable lengths to be 6 1/2 inches from the firewall so I can't really get much more there. Maybe a little if I bottom out the turn buckles.
Bruce Fenstermacher wrote:
IF your 170 was experimental, you could shorten the two metal tabs that go between the turnbuckles and the rudder horn as well.
That could get me near an inch and the ones back there now are already Owner Made

Re: Rudder pedal extensions
Posted: Wed May 21, 2014 2:44 pm
by Bruce Fenstermacher
FYI there were 4 pedals used in 170s Serial 18001 to 18317 used pn 0412482. Serials 18318 to 19184 pn 0510150. Serials
19184 to 20609 pn 0310452 and last serials 20610 and on used pn 0310453.
I've not seen in the IPC or heard of any kind of extension available such as Gar is thinking. The latest pedals 0310453 and in the IPC it looks like 0310452, had a bumped out bar when compared to the other two older style. This bar and it's placement is where you foot naturally pushes thus insuring the pedal is pushed from the bottom and no brake is applied. The earlier pedals it was easier to have you feet high on the pedal and apply brakes when you didn't want to do so.
Re: Rudder pedal extensions
Posted: Wed May 21, 2014 3:50 pm
by bagarre
$500 is pretty steep without the STC covering my airplane.
I've contacted the company to see if they have any examples of approval in a 170 or if they could add the 170 to their list since it's the same pedal to the part number.
I might as well TRY to do it legally

Re: Rudder pedal extensions
Posted: Wed May 21, 2014 4:47 pm
by GAHorn
I'm stealing that. Thanks, Aryana.
Re: Rudder pedal extensions
Posted: Wed May 21, 2014 5:21 pm
by bagarre
Hmm, since those rudder pedals are not PERMANENTLY attached to the aircraft, why would one need approval at all?
There are no holes to be drilled, no parts to disassemble / modify or replace.
They are simply clamped to the pedals the way a GPS would be mounted to the yoke. The yoke mounts have just as much opportunity (if not more) to interfere with flight controls as these pedal extensions.