Lear 35 pilots

[greygoose]

Im looking at a lear 35 job with a upgrade to a 55 down the road. I am just curious if there is any pilots to let me know what its like to be in that small cockpit. I am 6'4 285lbs, a big boy it seems like to be in that tiny cockpit.

 

[CUEBOAT]

im 6'4 and weight 185 and had a difficult time in the 55 getting in and out. once i was in it was fine. i'd imagime a 35 would be even tighter.

 

[Learjunky]

I flew with this guy who was 5'9 or so and almost 350lbs...he wasn't comfortable but he managed to fly!

I also flew with this guy who was 6'3...and he made it work....I think you can make it work, its just not going to be comfortable.

 

[FO4life]

I fly both. I'm 5' 10" 200 and get another pilot my size or larger, you should look into a shoe horn for the 35.

 

[Afterprop]

Tight but . . .

I flew around 1700 hours in the LR-35 . . . 6'2 and 220 at the time. It was tight, but I was younger. Getting in was challenging, but after you learned the trick, it wasn't too bad. I don't recall the rudder pedals being adjustable, only the seat. Everyone I flew with always kept the seat all the way back. In the seat, I could tilt my head outboard maybe 2 inches before windshield impact, and there's not much elbow room. Otherwise, I have fond memories of the Lear.

I just remembered loading the luggage is truly a hard !#$%&*^ time.

 

[Av8ing]

I am 6'4" and 250lbs. I busted the seam in my pants getting in and out of the 31. Once in, I'm cool though.

 

[kingaira90]

I am 6'2" and almost 300, and an f/o in the 20 and 30 series lears. It is a tight fit with minimal clearance. Like the others have said the in and out is the hardest. A very fun aircraft though. If comfort is a top priority in an aircraft, scratch the Lear off the list. If you want a challenging and fun one, the Lears should be at the top! The good thing about the 20's is not really any legs longer than 2hrs.

 

[cyork25]

i fly a 24. I am 5'11" and a buck 45. I have to say, that is a uncomfortable seat on the left side of your arse or maybe i just have a boney a$$. anyway, once you're in, it's the most fun i've had with my cloths on

 

[LJDRVR]

I'm quite a bit lighter now, but I spent years in 35's and 55's at 6'4" and 250 pounds.

You're not going to have much of a problem. You'll have to learn how to slump, and most importantly, where your elbows go. It's uncomfortable as heck the first 50 hours or so, until your body gets used to the confined area and pressure points. If the 35 you'll be flying has IPECO seats, it'll be a lot better.

People used to ask me how I fit, to which I responded: "Mind over matter. I don't mind, so it doesn't matter." I used to fly with a guy even bigger than I was, he had no problems at all.
Go for it! Have fun. The Lear is a blast.