Folding Front Seat

[akchamp]

Is a folding front seat legal in a Champ? If it is, I want one.
Thanks.

[Paul Agaliotis]

I don't think anyone would be the wiser if one was installed. It's probably not the exact part number,but, if you can't buy a new one it might be considered an owner produced part.
Paul

[bsafran]

The 15AC Sedan has a folding front seat on the copilot side. Aeronca was smart and tried to share as many parts between plane types as possible to keep production costs down. The seats are an example of this. The only difference is they cut the seat back off and welded on a swing mechanism allowing it to fold forward, otherwise you would never be able to get in the back seat of the Sedan. I had several of these seats and tried to give them away to my Champ friends, but they declined because they thought it might not be legal to do so. There is the remote possibility that if you are one of those guys who solos the 7AC from the rear, theoretically the front seat could fold forward and restrict aft movement of the stick. I am rebuilding a Champ now and I am installing one of the Sedan seats in front. It makes access to the rear seat and baggage area a snap!

[akchamp]

Thanks guys. A folder makes a lot of sense to me and I'll keep my eyes open for a Sedan co-pilot seat. I suppose a Citabria folding seat might work too.

[N86250]

Depending on where you get a seat from, there is an AD 2009-22-02 on folding seats in some American Champion aircraft. jrh

[Max Hanft]

When loading large items such as barrels I remove the rear bolts for the front seat and it flips forward opening up the entry to back seat. Legal!? These bolts could be removed and replaced with a quick remove bolts or pins. Legal?

[akchamp]

Max, that's an excellent suggestion and on the inexpensive side too. I had wondered about doing using quick release pins/bolts for the back seat also to facilitate its removal for cargo too.

[sixtyninegmc]

I would tend to stay with bolts on the seats, I thought about doing the same but I do not like the idea of the seat rattling on the pins, and the seatbelts are attached to the bolts. I would stay with good tight threads.

Josh

[joea]

Brian,

My Sedan has a folding seat on the pilots side as well. Wonder if this is stock or has been changed?

Joe A

[joea]

Max, that's an excellent suggestion and on the inexpensive side too. I had wondered about doing using quick release pins/bolts for the back seat also to facilitate its removal for cargo too.

Have thought the same thing. Sure not easy to get to the bolts at times.

[MikeB]

I had an older friend who used to fly with me a lot but it was difficult for him to get in the back seat (had Parkenson's) so I've thought about trying to to get the front seat to pivot ahead but I tend to agree with Josh as the seat belts should be secured to something solid.

MikeB