Probably odd question, but I have great difficulty stepping/getting over the wing spar to get into the cockpit. My son's plane and my first ride sitting co-pilot seat. I am 5 11 and 200 lbs so not a real big guy. I had a hell of a time getting over the spar. I thought for a while I would get stuck in the confined area and would have to be pulled out. Somewhat comical.
The plane is very popular and I see people a lot bigger than me flying them.
I had an F33 Bonanza that had a certain way of getting in and out. I assume the same for this plane.
Any suggestions on best technique?
Thanks

I’m 6’1” and about 220.
The way that is taught is to stand backwards, move one leg back depending on which seat, and rotate on it falling into place.

So for pilot seat, enter cabin, rotate around. Then move right leg back to just before center console. Lift left leg up, rotate into seat while sitting down.

I actually just move forward, step over seat w left leg, sliding it under yoke into place. Sit down and then swivel right leg around. It is a contortionist act, but not a lot different than rolling out onto wing in F33 or bonanza. Just takes time.

I’m 6’5”, 225lbs. I did the backwards, outboard leg in and twist method. Still needed a shoehorn and lube to get in.

Getting out was… interesting.

Never again.

I'm 5'10 and 160, and it's easy enough to get in and out of. HOWEVER, I don't love my egress chances if I'm not 100% healthy.

But even with the seat rail extension, I want for more.

Dang. I’ve never been in one, but now I need to see this. It sounds comical.

Since buying one, I’ve been thinking it would be filmed and put on TBMs website as a reason to buy a plane with pilot door. But since I can’t afford a TBM I do the dance.

I’m 6’4” 210 and tried it once.
Had a panic attack once I finally got seated.
Never again!

I have heard that backing in was the best way for bigger people. What is really helpful is to remove the seat behind the pilot. We never flew with six people and that seat was just in the way. I am 5’11 and 175 and enter facing forward.
Kevin

There are many versions of the seats. The newer ones used higher density foam so the cushions can be thinner, the side panels have been redesigned to give more hip room, the back seats have been redesigned to go over instead of in front of the wing spar. The inboard arm rests redesigned to be flush when raised to give more room between the seats, So much of it depends on the year and seat version. I am 6’2 and 200lbs, have absolutely no problem, but am also fairly athletic. Would be hard for some to get in and out. True of most cabin class aircraft. Once seated, I find it very comfortable, and it takes about 10 seconds to get in and out, so not really bothered much by the ingress/egress. So for me, if getting in the left seat, I place the right leg over the wing spar, and then swig my left leg in between the pedestal and seat to the floor board and then sit down and bring the right leg to the floorboard. For the right seat I do the opposite. The pilot seat has more room than the copilot seat due to the O2 cabinet behind the copilot seat. But even this was redesigned with the newest M’s, with a smaller cabinet so that the travel of the copilot seat matches the pilot seat now.

I like to make sure the seat is all the way down (it goes up and down), all the way back and a little reclined. But I can still fly comfortably with the seat 1-2 clicks forward, so there is still room for people bigger than me. Plenty comfortable once you figure out the technique that works for you. A quick in and out in a heat soaked plane is not going to be representative of day in and day out use. First time I got in the cockpit of a PC24, I thought this has to be a joke. Same convoluted cabin class crawl for 12 mil? But I am sure I would be plenty fine at 450 knots and a few flights.

Don’t wear big, thick soled athletic shoes. Try it in your socks only. Less bulk and friction.

Robert T

Thanks for info and suggestions. I am going to try the backward dance with shoes off.
Steve

Hate to be this guy but I am a little freaked out by flying a piston single without shoes. In my Malibu I always wore shoes.

I had my seat cushion cut down which helped the most.

Even in my 501 I won’t fly barefoot and I am 6’5”

I went thru a few pairs of zero sole shoes and found the black diamond rock climbing shoes best. Makes a big difference on height and at least give a little fire and heat protection.

https://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/e ... 2-0-shoes/

Mike

I wasn’t necessarily suggesting to fly without shoes. My thinking was take them off and try. If it makes a difference, find some flying shoes.

Robert T

Here is a video "Love Flying" did for large pilots/co-pilots getting into and out of a PA46.
https://youtu.be/0pw-KdvccmU?si=mxPyGeV5G-rdigO2

Oakley used to make a thin sole race shoe that was perfect for me but it’s discontinued. I imagine another race shoe might work well, too.