Rudder Pedal Extensions

[dedrekon]

I know this has been bandied about sometime in the distant past, but does anybody have a good solid SAFE way to extend the rudder pedals so a vertically challenged girl flyer can reach them?
I've been trying to get my wife comfortable flying the TCraft, but it takes so many cushions behind her she can barely get the stick back all the way. She's OK as long as there's not so much wind that she needs full rudder authority.

V

[VictorBravo]

Re: Rudder Pedal Extensions

It's my understanding that the airplanes were built with adjustment straps back at the rudder, but many have probably been replaced with straight cables. I do not have the adjustments on mine.

In your case, I'd think you can just make up some wood blocks that get safety wired on the pedals???

[cpirrmann]

Re: Rudder Pedal Extensions

Stilleto high heels and a good sense of balance

[Mark Julicher]

Re: Rudder Pedal Extensions

My plane actually came with a set of pedal extensions when I bought it in 1985. I'll have to post a photo for you. Thes would be easy to make.

[dedrekon]

Re: Rudder Pedal Extensions

Mark,
That would be great....the poor girl has three cushions behind her and one under her. The seat belt barely fits with all that extra padding AND she still can't fully depress the rudders.

Not that my rudders are depressed........they're actually very happy.


V

[hangarb7]

Re: Rudder Pedal Extensions

Now, I don't know how you could do much of a permanent installation in a certificated airplane of such a thing, but here is a picture of a homebuilt with twin rudder pedals. One pilot is six feet tall, the other (his wife) is under five foot.

Just talkin' out loud, brainstormin', and cypherin' (as Jethro Bodine used to say...), how about a temporary set of pedals, on a board, with loose links to the main pedals. The board could be part of a wooden piece that extends from her seat (she is sitting on it so it would be flat under her, then go down in front of the seat, then extend along the floor. Actually not attached to the airplane. It would be an extension of her, not the airplane....

Be easy with your criticism guys...

Jack D.
N44057

[mhorowit]

Re: Rudder Pedal Extensions

What a neat solution! - MIke

[Mark Julicher]

Re: Rudder Pedal Extensions

Photos of rudder pedal extensions.

These clamp onto the permanent pedals and are just a temporary item not a permanent modification. They work well. These were on my plane when I bought it in 1985 and my wife and I have used them a lot.

Every piece of steel in these could be obtained at the local home improvement store. It will take a little creativity with a hammer, grinder, and welder. The curved faces are not essential i.e., they could be made with flat stock if the steel is stiff enough. The clamp pieces are about 1/8 inch and the toe pieces are about .055, or 18 gauge. Paint as shown is MarHyde self etching primer. I love that stuff!

[1938BF50]

Re: Rudder Pedal Extensions

These look like a great solution! If someone were going to make a set, I would propose a "strut" running down to the pedal upright, eliminating ANY chance for rotation. As long as the total extension length was less than pedal height, I guess you would be OK. Though more complex, I thought the parallel linkage homebuilt solution was neat. You could make the whole affair clamp to the original pedal pivots and be removable in minutes.

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Rudder Pedal Extensions

Rumor has it that my Dad made a set for me in 1950 , real simple, they hooked over the pedals at the top, two little tubes back to another pedal, then a strut down to the original pedal and held in with a single sheet metal screw. Whewwww I hope the "unapproved Parts Nazi" is not forwarding to the FAA , oh well the statute of limitations is probably up by now.

[VictorBravo]

Re: Rudder Pedal Extensions

The ones in the photos I personally think are less safe than they should be. I agree with the notion that there needs to be a "triangulating" or gusset type strut to keep the pedal extension from rotating towards the floor and jamming the system. Using this "downtube" and clamping THAT to the lower part of the original pedal... would allow you to hook the extension over the top like Forrest says his Dad's did, and still have the clamp prevent it from coming off or rotating out of position.

[Tom G]

Re: Rudder Pedal Extensions

Back in the earlie sixties my airplane was owned by a very short round fellow. I still know him today. He had a problem reaching the pedals and at the time his mechanic took some wooden blocks and screwed them to the rudder pedals. He mentioned this to me and I know he's right because my two left rudder pedals each have two small holes in them.

Its kind of like the wooden blocks my dad put on my tricycle pedals so I could reach them.