Sling Seat Installation Question

[dreamer]

Hi Folks,

This is my first post here. I've just purrchased <hmmm... neat typo, I think it works!) a BEEyootiful clipped wing Taylorcraft (1946 BC-12-D). I have removed the single seat that was installed (weighing 7.12 lbs. incl. military seat belt and hardware) and am trying to figure out how to install an original sling seat. There were no instructions naturally The airplane has been highly modified from it's original configuration. I've been searching all over trying to find detailed photos of the original set-up or a set of directions for installation to no avail. I am missing the long round piece that the middle is tied onto (left to right at intersection of seat and back). Keeping everything light as possible is very important to me. The airplane will be used for competition aerobatics. The new canvas seat weighs 1.63 lbs. I am thinking of using a long piece of strong hollow (flexible) pvc type of pipe (gray) tied onto that portion of the canvas seat with a piece of safety cable run through the length and secured behind the seat. I can't figure out how that piece originally attached to the frame Any ideas? Know where to find original installation directions? Any pictures of how everything is attached??

Thank you SO much

Lynne

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Sling Seat Installation Question

Your timing is great. I just made new seats for mine and they are a little too thick in the cushions (mind you there might be just a bit of extra cushion on me too). I plan to loosen the sling a couple of turns to lower the seat a bit so I can take pictures of the whole thing for you. Drop me a private message and I can email the pics high resolution (I'll try to post regular size ones if anyone else is interested).
Hank

[mulwyk]

Re: Sling Seat Installation Question

Lynne:
A couple photos of my sling installation, it may not be typical.

The first photo is looking under the sling. The fuselage is uncovered at this point and the sling has been pushed back. Under the sling is the tube and the spider, they are painted white. The spider is made of heavy steel cables that are attached to the fuselage frame at 4 points (there are welded tabs on the frame that attach the spider). The spider wraps around the tube (1" steel tube) and is attached to the seat belts, shown hanging down in this photo.

In photo 2 the sling has been laced onto the tube with nylon rope, attached at the front with a wood batten and screws, and the seat belts have been pulled through. The sling is adjusted by rolling greater or lesser amounts of material around the batten.

My sling is black vinyl. (I wish I had a canvas sling like yours, the vinyl is heavy). I sewed strips of velcro onto the front of the sling and onto the seat cushions to keep the cushions in place (the vinyl is also slippery).

[Howard Wilson]

Re: Sling Seat Installation Question

Maybe this service bulletin is obsolete for you post war guys and gals. But thought it might be of interest. Howard

[dreamer]

Re: Sling Seat Installation Question

Thanks for the imput guys. I am still confused about the tube piece in the middle (where the back meets the seat). It is missing on my airplane and I can't figure out how that was originally attached.... or was it? I'll be working with hooker harness for the seat belts and shoulder restraints.

Lynne

[Robert Lees]

Re: Sling Seat Installation Question

Lynne,

I posted on your SC thread...and I think I missed one of your questions here.

The horizontal steel cross-tube between the seat sling base & back (as shown in the above photos) is connected solely to the "spider" and to no other structural part of the airframe. If it's missing, then someone has cut it out (it's attached to the spider by weldments) and you might do best by trying to buy a whole new assembly, either on Ebay, or try Eric Minnis on this site.

I use Hooker lap- and shoulder-harnesses on my non-aerobatic BC12D; the lap belts attach to the original points on the cross-tube.

Rob

[dreamer]

Re: Sling Seat Installation Question

Aha! I am missing the spider as well as the steel tube. This is my first experience up close and personal like with a Taylorcraft. Will the spider assembly be strong enough for acro? Should I consider other methods? Any and all suggestions greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Lynne

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Sling Seat Installation Question

I fly a BC12D with 180 HP , Swick T. Is yours a Standard category ship or Experimential ? I used the spider , and have one here . We ADDED 1/8 cables to the system , I did an English bunt one day and had about 150 mph on the bottom , the seat & belts released a bit and I struck my head on the cross tubes. PLEASE e-mail me direct for other advise on the Clip T.

[email protected]

[dreamer]

Re: Sling Seat Installation Question

Thank you very much for your reply Forrest,

I have sent you a private e-mail. I am most definitely interested in keeping my head out of the cross tubes! I have a very thick skull, I'd hate to put a dent in the airplane.

Looking forward to learning more,

Lynne