Aluminum Bench Seat?

[dreamer]

Has anyone here ever installed an aluminum bench seat? One was described to me that involved strips of aluminum slung between the tube at the seat back and the tube located above the bungies. An wider pice of aluminum was attached across the lower seat and I presume another piece would be needed at the seat back. Light weight is important. Structural integrity is paramount. (there will be forces of "G"s!) Imput appreciated.

Thanks!

Lynne

[Vasey fan]

Re: Aluminum Bench Seat?

Warren Pietsch has a good looking metal bench in his. I neglected to get pictures of it when he was out here for an airshow last year, but it hangs as you describe and attaches in back with a metal "strap" arrangement.

I figured at the time that I would remember how it was configured (good luck), now I really wish I'd taken pics.

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Aluminum Bench Seat?

Please do not confuse Standard Category and Experimential aircraft. Changes for the former require "approval" from someone.

[dreamer]

Re: Aluminum Bench Seat?

Hi Folks!

Been up to my ears in airplane and away from the 'puter here. This airplane is registered experimental/exhibition. We removed the engine from the mounts and hung it up to remove the accessory case. Installed B&C starter and alternator and re-located oil pickup line for inverted flight. Replaced all gaskets. Removed old ignition harness and installed new. Serviced the tailwheel and have been generally going over everything with a fine tooth comb. Installing new rudder pedals and will put the stick back in just as soon as the wind dies down and I can paint it. Have some help coming for electrical systems and installation of Cleveland wheels and brakes. The aluminum straps and seat parts have been cut. It will be adjustable for height and well secured. I'll make a pad for the seat and a removeable back cushion. Temperfoam? New weight and balance and fresh condition inspection. I'll look up Warren Pietch and see if there are any pictures or descriptions on-line.

Thanks!

Lynne

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Aluminum Bench Seat?

With THAT airplane you can do what you want to do. One of the best ways was to use very light weight fiberglas seats with the tempru foam (sp). Have at it;

[dreamer]

Re: Aluminum Bench Seat?

Speaking of seat mods, I heard a story yesterday about some guy doing an alteration on an experimental home-built. (note: bent airplane ahead). The original sling-style canvas seat ripped down the middle after lots of flying and one too many less than perfect landings, so.... dude took it upon himself to make a plywood seat. He drilled holes around the edge and attached it to the frame with ZIP-TIES!! He was landing on a hilly private golf-course (family owned) when he came down hard. All the zip-ties broke at once and he was suddenly sitting on the elevator and rudder controls. He ballooned and stuck the nose back down to avoid powerlines. The nose gear broke and he was bruised in the shin. He jumped out of the plane and hopped around howling and holding his shin much to the amusement of his older brother who had been cautioning him for years about these various antics. Thankfully he learned a lesson (or three) that day that wasn't puctuated by serious injury or worse. The airplane was very bent.

I was told another story by a first rate builder and restoration specialist who made himself an exquisitely beautiful experimental cub. In the interest of superior STOL capabilities, he weighed every single ounce to make this airplane as light and functional as possible. He shaved off a few ounces by using a lighter tubing for his seat frame, losing sight of the fact that the seat is indeed a structural piece if the airframe. During a vx climb, the back of the seat broke and he fell backwards onto the stick in the rear of the airplane. Suddenly he was climbing vertical calling out to his maker "Look out God, here comes a little red airplane!". When the airplane finally stalled and one wing came down, he was able to pull himself off the stick and safely return to the field. (whew!). The seat he made next was VERY strong.

It's a good idea to learn from the mistakes of others, life is too short to make them all ourselves.

Yikes!

No zip-ties for me! I am using nothing but aircraft grade handware on everything I do on this airplane. I have a new copy of the FAA's aircraft inspection, repair & alteration manual (acceptable methods, tecniques & practices including AC 43.13-1B and AC 43.13-2B). Thankfully, I am working under plenty of "adult supervision" as well.

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Aluminum Bench Seat?

Then sandbag it or use a method to proof test your work. The Standard Category Taylorcraft requires +5 & -2 g's not the 3.8 of normal . THAT means you need to proof test downward load to the seat of 9 g's
170# x 9 = 1530 # per person.... 190 if a parachute is used.

[dreamer]

Re: Aluminum Bench Seat?

Excellent Suggestion Forrest! I have a friend who can loan me as many 50 pound bags of cement as I'll need.

Thanks for the good advice :-)

Lynne

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Aluminum Bench Seat?

Be gentle , watch for deformation,

[flysmini]

Re: Aluminum Bench Seat?

I have a Swick-T with an aluminum seat. I owned the plane years ago and sold it with the canvas seat. The purchaser had the replacement made. It is one piece of aluminum with provision to fasten around the tube in the front and top of the back. It is held at the bottom rear with some clamps. It has a field approval (I think mine is one of the few that is not experimental. All the STC's are documented and it has a standard airworthiness cert.) Honestly, I would prefer the canvas and have considered replacing it.

[N95334]

Re: Aluminum Bench Seat?

In my opinion the canvas sling seat is the best. Had an alum one in a Aeronca Chief and it was very hard on the butt after 30 mins. Maybe if I had temper foam it would have been better.
For some reason my Taylorcraft seat is lower than most Tayorcrafts I have flown. I don't have to bend my neck down to see out the windows because the wing root is not in the way.

[M Towsley]

Re: Aluminum Bench Seat?

Dennis,

Your sling has either stretched or needs to be rolled up on the adjusting board at the front of the sling. That is, unless you like it that way! Way back when pilots would take the seat cushion out, let out some material and use a parachute. My father flew them like that while going through training in WWII.

Mine is nice and tight so I can see over the cowl while taxiing and takeoff.

[Moose]

Re: Aluminum Bench Seat?

Here's how mine is set up. That was done by Swicks on this airplane. It appears it was set up to be covered over with a piece of metal for a bench, since the straps and nut plates are installed. Then you can remove it and use the single seat. Kind of cool.

[astjp2]

Re: Aluminum Bench Seat?

There is a 337 for aluminum seats in the tech references section, I know because I did it and got it approved. Tim