In my plane the middle seat backing up to the pilot seat is removed which does I think make it easier. I’m 6’1”, 210. I get in by putting my left foot in to where it is in front of the pilot seat, then pick my other leg up with my hand and move it over the spar. As alluded to above, I could not imagine doing this with bad knees, hips, or back.

The backing in solution seems pretty hard to me. But that is 520 lbs of guys in the front seats. Wonder about the CG there

In the newer planes, there is one additional option. All the seats fold flat, so for the really really big people, can just butter them up and roll them in

What is everyone’s take on emergency egress? Is it even possible?

I love the turbine P46s numbers but I am not bendy anymore… or any less.

I had a turbo check valve freeze closed in my Malibu causing a massive amount of smoke immediately after start. Had no clue what was going on.
I was out of the cabin with my fire extinguisher quicker than I probably could get out of an Bo/Baron and definitely much faster if there was a passenger.

A quick pivot and you're on your feet running out of the cabin. No scooch/sliding and getting on ones knees.

I'm 6'2" about 200lbs. I'm definitely not the spitting image of health like Chuck.

Heard someone say once, that the ability of someone to get in and out of a PA46 is related to the thickness of ones wallet. Those with a thin wallet, will find a way to fit in. Someone with a thicker wallet will probably find it easier to get into something more expensive, or something like that. A piston PA46 has 85-90% of the comfort and utility of a Meridian, M5/6/700, or TBM, at 1/2-1/4th the cost. You and your pax won't notice the difference as long as you don't look at the ASI or VSI.

That looks more difficult than wedging into an Apollo Command Module with a full pressure suit on.

As a former sport parachutist I am not comfortable with complications in the event of an emergency egress. But I was spoiled, the jump plane I did most of my jumps out of (C-180) had no door...

Dan

From 1:45 to 2:15 is....not ideal?

Shoehorn
Kentucky Jelly

This thread is cracking me up
I've never been in one but didn't have any idea it was this difficult to get in and out of.

It isn't. Talking about a PA46 being small on a beechcraft forum is a little funny.

The cabin volume of a PA46 is 165 cu.ft. The volume of a G36 is 100 cu.ft.

The width of a PA46 is 4 ft.1 inch versus 3ft. 4 inches for a G36.

There is no comparison in comfort between riding in a pressurized PA46 and any unpressurized piston. I have flown most of the usual suspects. There is a technique to get in, and even on this thread we have heard from 6'5 and 6'6 people getting in them just fine, it is a non-issue for someone that wants to give it a try

I don’t hear anyone complaining about getting in an out of their Porsche’s, Ferrari’s, and Lamborghini’s. Personally I find it more difficult to get in and out of my BMW M3 than my Mirage. It’s a master art.

It isn't. Talking about a PA46 being small on a beechcraft forum is a little funny.

The cabin volume of a PA46 is 165 cu.ft. The volume of a G36 is 100 cu.ft.

The width of a PA46 is 4 ft.1 inch versus 3ft. 4 inches for a G36.

There is no comparison in comfort between riding in a pressurized PA46 and any unpressurized piston. I have flown most of the usual suspects. There is a technique to get in, and even on this thread we have heard from 6'5 and 6'6 people getting in them just fine, it is a non-issue for someone that wants to give it a try

Nailed it. It's more difficult for me to get in and out of my sportscars, than it is my Meridian. And I'm 6'2". It's tight, but this whole thing is way overblown.

I agree, it's all about developing a technique, then it becomes an afterthought.

My TBM850 did not have pilot's door, but I perfected a "crab-walk" that you might give a try.
You enter the "aisle" facing away from the seat you intend to sit and move forward by walking sideways as far as you can to the pedestal, then slide your forward leg around the corner and sit your butt down in one smooth motion. No contortions or un-natural movements required. Egress is exactly those steps in reverse.

Granted, there was no spar to step over but its not that big of deal to step over.

If I can't have a nice big center isle....I don't need it.