Adjustable pilot seat

[WWhunter]

I have been corresponding with a gentleman that is interested in buying a Champ. His only issue with one is that he is quite tall and wants to find a plane with a sliding pilots seat to allow for easier entry/exit.
Has anyone ever installed an adjustable seat in their Champ? Can this be done via field approval or would it require an act of God to get it approved?
Are the newer AC products seats adjustable? I remember looking at the at Oshkosh but sine I am verticly challenged I have the opposite issue...hope the heck I can reach the pedals. LOL
Keith

[CptKelly]

Keith,
Why not put in a call to the current Champ producers, and ask them if their new Champ's have an adjustable seat, or if it is an option? If one is available, then it will likely be applicable to all Champ's, not just the new ones. As far as headroom goes, I think it would be possible to gain a couple of inches by modifying an existing seat. Exchanging the seat cushion to some sort of temperfoam (1" thick), and possibly cutting a section from the seat legs... might gain a 2-3 inches. Your friend must be really tall. I am ~6', and don't have any problem at all with upward interferrence. As a matter of fact, I find the Champ to have an exceptionally roomy cabin. My exp. Supercub is quite tight for me, and hard to enter/exit as well. That's why it isn't flown nearly as much as the Champ or L-19 (now, there's a roomy airplane...). All in all, I am nuts about Champ's. They are excellent flyers, carry a decent load, and are about as much fun as one can legally have. Ours is a keeper. Come and visit when you get a chance.

Mike

[MikeB]

Keith,
I've thought about the same thing (somehow moving the seat back). I'm not tall at around
5' 9" or so and 160# but fairly long legged and since I had the seats redone on the L16 my knees are closer to the dash than I like. Headroom is not a problem. I may have to either have my upholstery guy remove some of the padding or live with it, I guess. I do like sitting up rather than in a hole but it takes some getting used to.

Mike

[jepropst]

Keith, Working with Bill Pancake, I obtained a field approval to install two simple brackets that permits moving the seat back in 1/2" incriments up to 2". I currently have the seat located 1 1/2" aft. One issue is that as you move the seat back it makes it a bit more difficult for the passenger to enter and exit the plane. it may also require adjusting the forward limit of the rear stick to prevent interferrence with the front seat. There are a couple photos of the brackets on my facebook page located at:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 549134efea
You can contact me via email offline if you would like more info.

[Paul Agaliotis]

In the mid-70's Bellanca had an adjustable seat. We had one in a new Citabria, It also folded so that AD would also be applicable.
Paul

[rkittine]

I have an adjustable seat from a 70s Citabria in my Champ. The seat itself matches up perfectly with the original seat fittings, but the upper portion has a spring lock and you can adjust it.

The only problem I have had with it is if you put it too far back and you need to get the stick full forward to get the tail up if you have an aft CG is that the back stick movement is then limited by the front seat back.

I think I might have a picture of the seat assemby, let me look and I will post it. The log book entry is a field approval and a 337.

Regards, Robert

[rkittine]

Here is a picture of the seat in the airplane and also of the frame. Since I reduced the size to get it on the forum, it might be hard to see, but there is a Spring Loaded Lever on the side that allows the upper part of the seat frame to slide back and forth on the lower and lock into place.

[WWhunter]

Guys,
I really appreciate all the responses. I will forward the info to Willie. Willie, the gentleman I wrote about is just starting to fly TW planes and is wanting to buy one. He is looking at Champs, Super Cubs, and the Rnas S-7. I have invited him up to my place to try out both my Champ and the S-7. Even though I am selling my Champ I think it is the better plane of the two...it just feels more like a plane. If I could have gotten a set of amphibs for it I wouldn't have gotten the S-7.
Thanks again,
Keith

[bob turner]

I own a super D and am getting a student ready in a Citabria 7ECA. His front seat is cramped, but mine is roomy. So I took some measurements from both and from a local Aeronca 7AC.

Amazingly all are identical! The difference is the foam padding - the Citabria has way too much of it, and it is a commercially available setup - Airtex, I think, but am not sure.

Before I took the measurements I called the factory. The answer is yes, but you need just shy of a grand. Not surprising - the factory does not give anything away except advice, and they are very good about that. Junkyards have nothing. I checked.

So your movable seat is two different sets of upholstery. Easy to change. You would be amazed at how roomy the thing is with reasonable foam inserts - or parachutes and no foam.

Speaking of parachutes, mine are on eBay right now at the bargain price of 50 each, if nobody else bids.

[rkittine]

Your right about the padding from Airtex. If you look at my seats in the picture you will see that. Don Jones in Guam makes nice replacement seats, which are very thin like J-3 Seats. You can see his products on E-bay. I am thinking about getting a set of those to increase the room in the plane and reduce the weight.

His are fire-retardent leather and less expensive than AirTex too.

[brink]

hello flyers:
I just bought a set from Don Jones for my 7DC, Nice quality, and very originally looking, I think he uses BMW foam, I am 6 ft, with average legs, 195 lbs and these seats are very comfortable, and light weight, compaired to what was in the aircraft. I think you will be very pleased, with all of Don's parts. Fly safe A fellow Aviator Sunny

[Ted Karver]

Keith,
I am 6'7" and have a 1963 7EC with an adjustable seat. Although the seat moves a little. My problem always are my knees getting in the way such as the bottom of the instrument panel. However, by removing my shoes and wearing mocasins, it drops my knees below the panel and out of the way of everything. You might pass that on to your prospective buyer.
Ted