Hi there! First post. Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I’m in the Portland, OR area and have started my search for an aircraft. 28 year airline pilot but not much experience in GA. Time for a small confession: I’ve never actually sat in a Commander before. But I’m intrigued by the cabin size as I’m a big guy at 6’5” and about 260. So my question is, before I get too far into this is I need to sit in one. Is there anyone in the PacNW that would be willing to allow me to kick the tires? At this point, it certainly doesn’t matter what the year or whether it’s a 112 or 114. Thanks in advance and I look forward to becoming an active member of this community… assuming I fit. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Do I fit?
- Thread starter pchansen
- Start date
Lawrence Massachu$etts
- Aircraft Year
- 1975
- Aircraft Type
- 112/A
- Reg Number
- N1226J
- Serial Number
- 226
Welcome! I'm sure someone in your area will speak up, but you shouldn't have any trouble with a comfortable fit in a Commander. I'm 6'3" and have no issues. I especially like not bumping elbows with the passenger - and of course 2 doors.
Longview TX
- Aircraft Year
- 1995
- Aircraft Type
- 114B/115
- Reg Number
- N6105U
- Serial Number
- 14625
My two sons are 6'4" and 6'6" respectively. They range from 225 to 245 lbs. The 6'4" one is a 23 year old commercial pilot.
He says that my Commander has the most room of any GA aircraft he flies. He has a full inch of clearance on top of his head even with a Bose headset on.
He flies PA46s, Barons, and a TBM 840. He says that the PA46 and Baron are not comfortable at all. The TBM is roomy, but no more than the Commander.
He says that my Commander has the most room of any GA aircraft he flies. He has a full inch of clearance on top of his head even with a Bose headset on.
He flies PA46s, Barons, and a TBM 840. He says that the PA46 and Baron are not comfortable at all. The TBM is roomy, but no more than the Commander.
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Thank you all! Thanks Judi for reaching out. What a warm welcome you guys. Of course I still need to try one on for size and then, possibly go fly one. The mission would be from our home airport of Grove Field (1W1) to Lake Billy Chinook Airport (5S5) which is only 88nm but could be through some mountainous terrain. 5S5 is approximately 2500’ of chip seal. Pretty rough to be honest and it’s at 2600’ msl with hot weather. The other mission would to Bismarck, ND for family. So two wildly different missions. 90% of the time it would be just my wife and I (and two dogs). So I’m pretty focused on a 114. A 114TC would be ideal. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Denver, CO
- Aircraft Year
- 1976
- Aircraft Type
- 114
- Reg Number
- N4742W
- Serial Number
- 14072
PCHansen,
If you travel through KDEN - and have time - I am based at KCFO (Colorado Air & Spaceport) - about 8 miles away from Denver International. If we can time it/plan it - It would be a simple trip to have a sit and see how you fit.
Dean
If you travel through KDEN - and have time - I am based at KCFO (Colorado Air & Spaceport) - about 8 miles away from Denver International. If we can time it/plan it - It would be a simple trip to have a sit and see how you fit.
Dean
Longview TX
- Aircraft Year
- 1995
- Aircraft Type
- 114B/115
- Reg Number
- N6105U
- Serial Number
- 14625
Bottom line - the AC11 airframe is the largest SEL low wing airplane that I know of. Plus, it has a pilot's side door to make entry very easy.
That being said, the Cessna 206T and the 210's (no longer produced), would be the high wing equivalent - extremely roomy and even easier entry / exit.
Both of my rather tall sons sat in a new 206T at Oshkosh a few years ago and were astonished at the roominess, particularly the headroom.
That being said, the Cessna 206T and the 210's (no longer produced), would be the high wing equivalent - extremely roomy and even easier entry / exit.
Both of my rather tall sons sat in a new 206T at Oshkosh a few years ago and were astonished at the roominess, particularly the headroom.
- Aircraft Year
- 1974
- Aircraft Type
- 112 Hot Shot
- Reg Number
- N1144J
- Serial Number
- 186
If you do a lot of hard IFR, need to carry a lot of weight, and you want a plane that's really roomy and easy to get in and out of the 206/210 are the ticket. If you love to fly, and like to have a bird's eye view of the countryside, they're not so great. The panel is really high and, obnoxiously, in-your-face. Very "utilitarian", but not what I'd call a "fun flyer".
N4843W
New member
SE MI
- Aircraft Year
- 1977
- Aircraft Type
- 114
- Reg Number
- N4843W
- Serial Number
- 14173
I am 6'4" and used to weight 230 and never have had an issue. (Happy to say I am now down to 185, adding 45# to useful load and at least ... uhhhhh ... 5 knots?) My oldest son, a pilot is 6'5" and a very lean 190, but his height is no issue.
