Sci-Fi TV show from the 1970s or 1980s?

The series I'm thinking of is from 1993-94 but matches what you describe: "Space Rangers". It ran for only four episodes, but it is one of the best science fiction series I have ever seen.

There IS a female pilot who does lie full-length, stomachdown, a tall woman with long, blonde hair. The ship's mechanic is Doc, a gruff, overweight, middleaged guy who has about as many mechanical parts as human. In fact, it was a running joke that he has to stay ahead of the doctors and bureaucrats, who would want him to retire. See the list of cast and characters below.

IMDB synopsis:

"Space Rangers" is an intergalactic action-adventure in the best tradition of "Star Wars". Created by Pen Densham, "Space Rangers" is a compelling story about a group of adventurers for whom no task is too great. (It) features an ongoing cast of rugged, likeable peacekeepers who must do battle against a new set of obstacles in each episode. The year is 2104. Explorers have stretched civilization to the farthest reaches of the galaxy, establishing remote outposts (NOTE: called "forts"). They've discovered new worlds and learned to share them with new races. A few elite men and women have volunteered to go to the frontier, not to rule, but to uphold the law. These are the Space Rangers, part Peacekeepers, part Marines. Much like the pioneers or cavalry before them, who tamed the Wild West, the Space Rangers have left behind their old, comfortable life to seek new frontiers and challenges. With this quest come new enemies as well. None are as fierce as the Banshies (NOTE: from "banshee", the shrill-voiced creature in Irish mythology, not what the synopsis states! In fact, the writer is way off base about the Banshies.) While "Space Rangers" deals with life on the frontier, the program also addresses our current problems in a futuristic setting. Topics such as honor, responsibility or losing one's job to automation underscore the adventurous elements in each episode. This sense of morality or "message" is subtly interspliced into each episode, taking "Space Rangers" one step beyond the average sci-fi show.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106144/

CAST & CHARACTERS:

Jeff Kaake ... Capt. John Boon

Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa ... Zylyn~~warrior-priest who has chosen to leave his planet after meeting Boon

Jack McGee ... Doc~~ship's mechanic/engineer~~a cyborg

Marjorie Monaghan ... JoJo the pilot from New Venus

Danny Quinn ... Daniel Kincaid~~typical wet-behind-the-ears newbie, trying to prove his worth; son of one of the bigshots

Linda Hunt ... Cmdr. Chennault~~the tough boss who tries to remain in charge and control of New Hope

Gottfried John ... Erich Weiss~~always stirring up trouble for the fort and the Rangers with his ideas about change; the classic bureaucrat

Clint Howard ... Mimmer~~scientist/researcher/inventor/all-'round "big brain"~~This was a great role for Clint! For once, he wasn't playing the outsider, token baddie, or dopey guy, not that his scientist didn't have his overenthusiastic moments.

The trivia is completely inaccurate on this one! Four episodes aired; I know because I taped all of them. Sadly, they were shown out of order! The official Episode #1 was aired the SECOND week! So, it was initially confusing since there was no introduction to the characters, which are simply wonderful, by the way! They "ring true". There was a major problem with too many science fiction shows hitting the air practically on top of each other: "Space Rangers", "Babylon 5" and "Deep Space Nine". IMDB also mentions "Time Trax", but I don't recall that being a primetime show. the "B5" 2-hour pilot was shown, but the series was shelved for a while before they finally tried the series. I certainly wish they had given "Space Rangers" an opportunity. There ARE other episodes, per those connected with the show; I haven't checked to see if they have been released on DVD. I was so happy when Showtime aired three "movies", each containing two episodes, meaning I had clear, commercial-free copies of this show that goes near the top of my favorite TV series list, plus there were two more episodes!

You say its Seventies or Eighties, but I can think of only this series. It's hard to believe that Densham would have lifted elements unless it was from a previous creation.

The only other pilot that really differs is the Valkyrie in "Battle Beyond the Stars" (1980), played by Sybil Danning. Only the vessel she flies is for one person only. And, the movie couldn't be mistaken for a series.

MystMoonstruck's right--it was "Space Rangers"...and there WERE six episodes made (all six ran on the Sci-Fi Channel in its old "Series Collection" slot for short-lived series in the 1990s). There was a three-volume VHS release of the series in 1995 but it is long out of print.

Buck Rodgers?

Battlestar Galactica?

I'm not sure if either of those is what you're talking about, but those are the only old SciFi shows I can think of. I wasn't born yet in the 70's and 80's. Heh.

I Love Lucy

Voyager??

twilight zone