Bench seat conversion

[pipsqueak]

Hello to all,

I have a 1975 F19 that I haul a lot of freight with. I have had everything from gas, diesel, space heater, catipillar cat parts, to you name it, in my plane. Well I was wondering if any of you fellas or ladies have a plane like mine that has bucket seats? Is this a high dollar conversion? Can it even be done? I have heard of it but never seen it or know any one that has. Any input on this would be great. I love my plane but loading heavy objects over that darn seat is a real pain and I do this at least three times a week in the winter.

Thanks for any help,

Barney

[crispy critter]

Re: Bench seat conversion

Barney,
I don't know about the bucket seat converion but have ya ever considered trading up to a nice C-172?I have one I may trade on.It takes about 5 minutes to remove the rear seat and you have all kinds of room plus easy to get too,takes about 10 minutes to re-install and ya have a 4 place bird.
Think about it and let me know.

Hello to all,

I have a 1975 F19 that I haul a lot of freight with. I have had everything from gas, diesel, space heater, catipillar cat parts, to you name it, in my plane. Well I was wondering if any of you fellas or ladies have a plane like mine that has bucket seats? Is this a high dollar conversion? Can it even be done? I have heard of it but never seen it or know any one that has. Any input on this would be great. I love my plane but loading heavy objects over that darn seat is a real pain and I do this at least three times a week in the winter.

Thanks for any help,

Barney

[pipsqueak]

Re: Bench seat conversion

Thanks but no thanks. Altho a 172 would be a great plane for me and the family I have to much fun with my little plane, I also use it to haul supplies to remote trapline sights where a bigger plane would have a hard time getting in and out. Thanks, Barney

[Dick Smith]

Re: Bench seat conversion

Barney, I've seen it done using 1. aluminum, 2. plywood and 3. fibreglas. My plane had individual seats when I bought it, done up in black tuck 'n' roll. Used to go to the Soldotna airport and find one of them gone. Come back several hours or a day later...and it it would be back in the plane! Then I started seeing other very similar seats appear...mine apparently made a few quick trips to the upholstery shop to serve as a pattern. After there were a few "patterns" around, mine quit turning up missing!
Anyway, it's been said that "imitation is the highest form of compliment"...!
Dick

[pipsqueak]

Re: Bench seat conversion

Thanks for the info Dick. Where do you park your plane. I would like to take a look at it when I am in your neck of the woods, if you don't mind. I lived in Kenai for a while, and have some friends there I visit now and then.
Thanks Barney Anselment

[Dick Smith]

Re: Bench seat conversion

Barney, I'm north of Kenai, Nikiski area. Just give me a call 776-8906. Also, check your private message setup. Dick

[matsuthunder200]

Re: Bench seat conversion

Dick Was your seats a feild approval or a stc.. I wanted to install the removable bucket type seats but couldnt find anyone that would approve it. And that was before the faa rule changes. I did see that silver t-craft at the soldotna airport that had them fiberglass race car buckets that attached with pins. In and out in 2 seconds He got them approved. The faa guy that approved them retired and i couldnt find any one else that would approve that kind of set up.

[Dick Smith]

Re: Bench seat conversion

Lance,my present seats were also field approved, by an FAA inspector now retired. The left seat is bolted in to fit my build and height and remains in place. The right seat can pivot forward on hinges to give better access to the rear or can be removed in about a minute. It is really fastened solid when in normal position. Dick