Seats

[superuser]

12-13-2008, 08:07 AM

Mike | Seats

I am seeking advice for new seats. I am looking for seats that will fit the pilots and co pilots sides; rear no problem. I also would like to install the 4pt harness - or - would the 3pt be better? I guess the top outside part of the seat is the issue.

I have looked at the A4 by Corbeau, will this fit? Is this a comfortable seat? 19.5" wide at the seat, tight fit.

I guess my main concern is the top. Any Ideas??
Thanks

[superuser]

12-13-2008, 09:59 AM

ttgunne | Seats

Mike:

It was an easy job to modify the shells provided by Seawind to the configuration I wanted. I then sent them to Oregon Aero which did a great upholstery job.

TT



12-14-2008, 08:17 AM

Fred Lohr | seats

i used the corbeau seats and have been happy with them. Originally i had the seawind shells mounted on the tracks as in the manual. I flew it for several months with those until i figured out what i wanted for an interior. I upgraded to the corbeau seats becuase i wanted the folding seat backs and I saw george osbournes corbeau seats and liked them. I thnk i may have shaved the foam a little bit on the sides before having them recovered. I also had them upholstered so that the seat cushions are removeable...both for flotation in the event of a sudden need to go for a swim, and so that i could climg in and out with wet feet and step on the seat. The three point harness using the outer hole in the corbeau seat has worked well.

I was able to mount the corbeau seats to the existing rails and the sliding mechanism provided with the seats permits adjustment. they fold forward and backwards.

Whatever seat you use, be sure the seat cushion does not sit too high or your head will be bumping the canopy. This happened with my orignal seawind shells.

I recall reading in one of the sna newsletters that they had selected a seat maker for certified plane that included the crushable seat area that improves survival in vertical loads. Those vertical forces transmitted to the spine are a

common cause of injury/death in certain types of crashes. I don't recall the maker but they were very expensive.



12-14-2008, 06:02 PM

Mike

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fred Lohr View Post

i used the corbeau seats and have been happy with them. Originally i had the seawind shells mounted on the tracks as in the manual. I flew it for several months with those until i figured out what i wanted for an interior. I upgraded to the corbeau seats becuase i wanted the folding seat backs and I saw george osbournes corbeau seats and liked them. I thnk i may have shaved the foam a little bit on the sides before having them recovered. I also had them upholstered so that the seat cushions are removeable...both for flotation in the event of a sudden need to go for a swim, and so that i could climg in and out with wet feet and step on the seat. The three point harness using the outer hole in the corbeau seat has worked well.
I was able to mount the corbeau seats to the existing rails and the sliding mechanism provided with the seats permits adjustment. they fold forward and backwards.

Whatever seat you use, be sure the seat cushion does not sit too high or your head will be bumping the canopy. This happened with my orignal seawind shells.

I recall reading in one of the sna newsletters that they had selected a seat maker for certified plane that included the crushable seat area that improves survival in vertical loads. Those vertical forces transmitted to the spine are a

common cause of injury/death in certain types of crashes. I don't recall the maker but they were very expensive.

Fred,

Do you have the model # of the seats you used?

Where did you have them re-done...?

I have been looking at the corbeau frame and using memory foam.

http://www.seatfoam.com/text/prod01.htm

and also seat heaters........

http://www.sportsimportsltd.com/dualseatdelc.html

[superuser]

12-14-2008, 09:24 PM

Tom Saccio

I also use the same A4 Corbeau seats and find them very comfortable. I mounted them on electric seat bases. A little heavier but convenient. I was told by the people who make the seat belts not to use the 4 point harness belts because there is not good place to mount them. Mounting them to the floor puts great strain on your back in a crash. It causes great strain on the back and could kill you. They absolutely did not recommend it. Tom Saccio



12-15-2008, 10:06 AM

rwolf | Seats

Mike- Sport automotive seats have a lot of side support to keep one in place with high lateral "g" forces. Since all Seawind pilots make well coordinated turns, there are no side forces. I seem to recall a post a few months ago wherein the poster was offering the seats from the "certified" Seawind. Those might be a good choice. I installed seats modified from a Rockwell Commander but I don't recommend this path. Happy Holidays.

Dick Wolf



12-15-2008, 12:57 PM

Fred Lohr | seats

Mike

I used the Corbeau A4 seats. those were mounted to the rails with bolts and clamps. Took off the existing cover and went at the side supports with a knife until I had a lower profile i liked. I shopped around for a good aircraft upholstery shop within a reasonable distance and ended up at a small but excellant shop in Donegal springs airport in PA just south of Harrisburg.

http://www.advantageinteriors.com/

They helped me pick the materials for seats, carpets, headliner. Having the extra front seats was nice cause after they took patterns and started on the seats front and rear in their shop, i could still fly the airplane with my existing seawind seats until they were ready.

Like Tom says three point harness is the way to go. "Hooker" made mine.



12-15-2008, 03:27 PM

Mike

Tom, good point. So it sounds like a 3 point is the way to go. Is there a better place to mount the seat belts to? What about the existing shoulder harness mounting on the side for the “over the shoulder” and the floor rails for the “around the waist” seat belts? Did you have to modify the A4 seat? What electric seat base did you use (I like that idea)?

Richard, I remember the guy you are talking about. I called him. If my memory serves me correctly…..$1,500. - $2,000.…..just for the frame.

Fred, I think the Corbeau seat is the way to go since I only have 18” – 19” to play with in the seat area. My center console comes back to the canopy actuator so the seat room (side to side) is limited. It is time to look into finishing me interior, so I will check them out. Hey your plane is on there website, nice interior..

Well if you say “Hookers” are the way to go, far be it from me to argue…



12-16-2008, 12:13 AM

Tom Saccio

My seat bases came from www.wiseguys-seats.com. Check out there web site. Just remember that the electric seats are heavy and will add weight. I shaved a couple of inchs off of the tops of my corbeau seats. If I remember correctly they just about cleared the canopy. I also wouldn't mount the seats to the rails. You need all the support you can get there. If the seat goes, you would want to have another point to anchor you down. Just a thought.


12-18-2008, 08:08 AM

Mike

How are the seat rails fastened to the floor? Is there any reinforcement called out in the manuals (I haven't looked at the manual yet)? Mabe I should open the floors and add reinforcement? Time to L@@K closer and order some seats.


01-20-2010, 03:20 PM

Mike

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Saccio View Post

My seat bases came from www.wiseguys-seats.com. Check out there web site. Just remember that the electric seats are heavy and will add weight. I shaved a couple of inchs off of the tops of my corbeau seats. If I remember correctly they just about cleared the canopy. I also wouldn't mount the seats to the rails. You need all the support you can get there. If the seat goes, you would want to have another point to anchor you down. Just a thought.

Hey Tom,
Do you remember the part number for the power base..?
What were your anchoring points for the seat belts..?



03-15-2010, 09:40 AM

Mike

I am finally getting back to the seat issue...

Thanks for all your input as I am ordering the A4 seats with the 3 point harness.

This brings me to another comment/question.


I noticed that the pilots seat belt is fastened to the bottom of the seat and the other side is fastened to the canopy lift cyl. base. I am thinking that the seat base is not a good idea. Has anyone hooked into the step hardware on the side of the fuselage..? Other than the seat base, what is the next best place..?


03-28-2010, 01:53 PM

Mike

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Saccio View Post

My seat bases came from www.wiseguys-seats.com. Check out there web site. Just remember that the electric seats are heavy and will add weight. I shaved a couple of inchs off of the tops of my corbeau seats. If I remember correctly they just about cleared the canopy. I also wouldn't mount the seats to the rails. You need all the support you can get there. If the seat goes, you would want to have another point to anchor you down. Just a thought.

Tom,

Did you mean the seat belts to the rails or seats...?

I installed the co-pilots seat last week and used the existing base and rails. It came out ok except a tall person will hit their head; otherwise OK. I will need to lower it at a later date. I took your advice and am using a three way retractable harness.

Seats - http://www.corbeau.com/products/reclining_seats/a4/
Belts - http://www.corbeau.com/products/harn...harness_belts/

How did you mount the 6way base? Did you use the existing rails or did you remove the rails and mount it directly to the floor. What would be the best way to reinforce the floor if the rails are not used?

http://www.discountvantruck.com/rvse...powerbases.htm

Thanks
Mike

[superuser]

03-28-2010, 05:30 PM

Tom Saccio | Seats

Hi Mike, I mounted the seats to the floor before I bonded the floor in. It made it easier. However you could bond the bolts to the floor where you can't drill through. Set a bolt and a fender washer in the floor add some layups around it. Use about a 4" square of FG, then mount the seat and bolt it in. That's all there is to it. Good luck.

Tom



05-01-2010, 01:01 PM

Mike

finally finished installing the new Corbeau A4 seats. After a lot of measuring I found that I did not have to trim the seats as previously thought. To mount the seats, I ended up fiber glassing 2 strips of aluminum with the bolts upside down into the floor. The seat belts are the Corbeau retractable 3 point belts.

After a 3 hour flight....

The difference between the old seats in which I sat up right and the new seats which recline is the distance between the knees and the yoke. The new seats are much better. It is much more comfortable flying in a slightly reclined position.