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Commander Size Comparison

Chris Mixon

Chris Mixon

New member
Supporting Member
Abbeville, LA
Aircraft Year
1979
Aircraft Type
114A
Reg Number
N114SG
Serial Number
14535
Just an observation.

I am still new to my 114 and things jump out at me from time to time. I taxied in at the end of the day and noticed a really nice Turbo Arrow III was spotted next to me on the ramp. I was amazed by how much bigger the 114 appears compared to the Piper. The standard empty weights are about only about 500 lbs apart, but it's a big 500 lbs! Not just total size, it was how much taller we sit on the gear, the overall stance, the bigger windows, seating style and the tall tail.

Chris
 
Is it just me or is the Co Pilot in the Mooney (see drawing above) hunched over to the right (his left) just a little bit to fit?:rolleyes:
Just "spit balling":cool:
 
Have you ever shoehorned into a Mooney :rolleyes:

If you're vertically challenged, no lean is needed lol.​​​​​
 
To expand on this a little....First, I absolutely love my 114 and don't think I would consider selling it but what do people think is the next natural progression? I am in a bit of a smaller sampling group as I am 6'6" and a popular opinion might be a Saratoga but it is just too tight for me.

Maybe a Pilatus PC-12? I wish!!!
 
tdangelo said:
To expand on this a little....First, I absolutely love my 114 and don't think I would consider selling it but what do people think is the next natural progression? I am in a bit of a smaller sampling group as I am 6'6" and a popular opinion might be a Saratoga but it is just too tight for me.

Maybe a Pilatus PC-12? I wish!!!
Click to expand...

I just sat in a 2000 Turbo Saratoga this past week - wide cockpit but I could not slide my seat back far enough (club seating behind it) to comfortably get my knees below the yoke. Plus my head was very near the ceiling. Just seemed claustrophobic. Your butt is very close to the floor similar to a Mooney, but without the leg room (I am only 6'1" - not exactly tall).

To me, the most comfortable SE cabin comparable to a Commander is a Cessna 206 or 210. Those two airframes are extremely roomy for both the pilot and passengers, and of course they have a pilot side door.

If I ever sold or bought something to replace my Commander it would probably be a 206 (not a fan of the gear on the 210).
 
brhoad said:
Is it just me or is the Co Pilot in the Mooney (see drawing above) hunched over to the right (his left) just a little bit to fit?:rolleyes:
Just "spit balling":cool:
Click to expand...

When the mooney guys make fun of us for being “slow” …. and we land 15 minutes after them on a 3 hour trip ….. and they crawl outta their tiny tin cans like crabs and ask if they can ride back with us in our BIG ROOMY “SLOW” Commander …. we just say NOPE! You shouldn’t have made fun of our speed, if you want to enjoy our comfort!

:)
 
tdangelo said:
To expand on this a little....First, I absolutely love my 114 and don't think I would consider selling it but what do people think is the next natural progression? I am in a bit of a smaller sampling group as I am 6'6" and a popular opinion might be a Saratoga but it is just too tight for me.

Maybe a Pilatus PC-12? I wish!!!
Click to expand...

I’ve always liked the malibu … pretty “useful load challenged” ….but I’m only a Long-Legged 6’ … and those things are not pilot/room friendly even for me …It’ be a nice four person airplane, but I about climbed outta my skin just flying it to West Palm (from Ohio) ….so that’s a no go too. I mean a pilatus would be an awesome step up, but outta my budget for sure! My wife wants me to get a “bigger plane” and I’ve been kicking around the 414A as a real people hauling traveling airplane ….but I haven’t flown one yet!
 
Philip; my friend Brad Willette, Lane Aviation in Columbus has a few C414s for sale. should go look maybe a go for a ride..?..

Judi
 
janderson said:
Philip; my friend Brad Willette, Lane Aviation in Columbus has a few C414s for sale. should go look maybe a go for a ride..?..

Judi
Click to expand...

Thanks Judi. You are about the third friend that has recommended those folks at Lane to me ....so that is where I plan to start ....when I start really digging I to the idea this spring/summer!!!


Thank you for the recommendation. Those guys seem to have a great Rep
 
Brad/Lane Avn also has good Commander experience. They sold Chris Roach his 114B, N6048A.

Judi
 
janderson said:
Brad/Lane Avn also has good Commander experience. They sold Chris Roach his 114B, N6048A.

Judi
Click to expand...

Oh heck yeah!!!!

I didn't know that....and they are just around the corner from me ...only maybe a 20-30 min flight if that!


Thanks Judi. That's great Info!!!!!
 
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