Rudder pedal extensions anyone?

F

flying4food

Member
Joined
Aug 12, 2018
Messages
15
Hello, My wife and I recently purchased a 73 7KCAB. Its a great little plane and is something Ive always wanted, and am now thrilled to own.
I was wondering if anyone here has ever used or seen some pedal extensions for the basic pedals used with the heel brakes? We already installed the adjustable front seat, but we are not quite there. She sat in a friends newer GCBC with the toe brakes and she was able to reach everything just fine. I know a toe brake conversion is an option, but before we drop $3K on the conversion, just wanted to explore all options.
Thanks for any info you might have.
-Mark
 
Doesn't sound right. Check rigging on the pedals - make sure some long-legged guy didn't put longer cables in there.
 
Thanks for the input Bob. Ive actually thought that if cables were about an inch shorter, it would do the trick, but Im not sure of the legality of replacing them. Im pretty sure whats in there now is oem. Its just that when the (ACA at least) toe brake pedals are mounted, it adds about an inch or more to the thickness of the pedal.
 
I will try to remember to look. The key is, with shorter cables ( maybe with turnbuckles) can you still get full rudder travel, and access to both brakes? I forgot - mine has toe brakes. I think I can find a heel brake airplane for measurements.
 
Thanks. That measurement would be awesome.
I was just out there looking at it, and really, if the cables were even 1/2" shorter it would move the top of the pedal by quite a bit, then as you say, have to make sure they are not too far back that it creates a problem using the brakes.
Ugh...
 
I measured one 90 hp Champ. Should be identical. The cables from rear pedals to front pedals are 30" from bolt centers. With rudder neutral the rear pedals should be roughly perpendicular to the floorboards. Start there and report back. Meanwhile I will keep an eye open for the local Citabria with heel brakes.

You might call the factory - they are friendly and can help for free. Caution - if you want to buy a drawing they start at right around a hundred bucks, not counting shipping.
 
Thanks Bob,
Thats exactly what I measure, 30".
I will call the factory. I've had very good experience with them so far. I've only spoken to the parts department, but he has been great to deal with. We purchased the adjustable front seat, and I thought the price was surprisingly reasonable.
My airplane was built in mid- late 1973, when toe brakes were an option before they became standard in 74. What that means is my fuselage came off the jig with the mounting points for both types of brakes. So if I do decide to do the conversion, it will be a fairly simple bolt in process. Ill call ACA and get an exact quote. I was just hoping to avoid the expense and use the money for a basic engine analyzer/ fuel totalizer. We spend a lot of time in the pattern and I dont like not knowing what my CHT is doing. If we spend the money on the brakes, ill just install a single channel CHT for now.
 
flying4food said:
Thanks Bob,
Thats exactly what I measure, 30".
I will call the factory. I've had very good experience with them so far. I've only spoken to the parts department, but he has been great to deal with. We purchased the adjustable front seat, and I thought the price was surprisingly reasonable.
My airplane was built in mid- late 1973, when toe brakes were an option before they became standard in 74. What that means is my fuselage came off the jig with the mounting points for both types of brakes. So if I do decide to do the conversion, it will be a fairly simple bolt in process. Ill call ACA and get an exact quote. I was just hoping to avoid the expense and use the money for a basic engine analyzer/ fuel totalizer. We spend a lot of time in the pattern and I dont like not knowing what my CHT is doing. If we spend the money on the brakes, ill just install a single channel CHT for now.
Click to expand...
What is the cost of the adjustable front seat and how’s the installation?
 
It was about $1200 shipped to me. It came fully assembled and included all the hardware to install. Im an A&P so I did the install myself. It just bolts right in at the same attach points. Pretty straight forward. You will need a new rear stick to be able to use the front seat in its aft most position. I ordered the stick ($120) but it is currently back ordered. I am 5'9", and I fly with the seat 1 position back from its most forward so there is plenty of clearance with the rear stick either way. But for the money, I went ahead and ordered it so taller people will be able to comfortably fly the plane.
 
Yeah, a shorter stick in the back would be a good idea. My '65 7ECA has an adjustable front seat with 3 positions: close, way too close, and forget about getting in there! (PS - I'm 5'10", but apparently have long legs.) I always fly it in the aft-most position, and on one recent flight I was doing the "controls free and clear" check, and encountered what could best be described as a "control blockage." I could not push left-to-right or right-to-left aileron when the elevator was full-forward. After a moment on intense panic (imagining some tool under the floorboards, or something broken in the linkages) I remembered that I had stored a small box (less than 2 inches thick) in the pouch behind the front seat. The rear stick was hitting that box in the pouch. That got me thinking about a shorter stick, but apparently (per my A&P), the ACA version isn't approved for the '65 models. (ACA doesn't seem to have much "help" for the pre-68s...)

Anyway, my pre-flight ritual now includes "Remove all items from front seat storage pouch."
 
I had just the opposite issue in my 7GCBC....My rudder pedals were contacting the firewall when fully pressed. I spoke with Dale at ACA . His solution...The rear rudder pedals have multiple attach points for the cable running aft. Moving the clevis bolt to the next hole will cause the rudder pedals to tilt aft a couple of inches....might be enough for a shorter legged pilot. Helps me out because I can move the adjustable front seat back another notch and can now get the stick all the way back in my gut for the three pointers...(the other option was to loose 30 pounds :cool:)
 
Thanks,
We do have the pedals adjusted to the furthest aft position. That, combined with thick soled shoes and a cushion behind her back allows her to fly the plane, but its not ideal.
I spoke with ACA, and they do in fact make rudder pedal extensions, but they are for the current rudder pedals. Which leads us back to the toe brake conversion. I think with the toe brakes, the face of the pedal will be far enough aft, ( and no need to try and get a small foot to keep toes on the rudder and heel on the brake while maneuvering on the ground) the extensions would likely not be necessary. So there are two options, the Bellanca style conversion sold by Wag Aero ($2300) or factory parts (Closer to $3k :oops:) I really like the idea of updating with factory new parts as we already have an updated panel and glare shield, front seat and control sticks, but Im not sure I can justify several hundred dollars more! I need/ want to replace the gear attach hardware at annual and the budget is not unlimited!
If I do undertake a conversion, Ill start a thread in the projects forum to document it. Annual is in December, so we will make a decision soon.......
 
Dang. I guess I should be thankful my feet reach the pedals with my heel brakes. A hangar neighbor gave me another complete set of heel brakes for backup.
That kind of money is going to put ADS-B in my plane this winter
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top