Installing Factory Jump Seats

[Cardiff Kook]

Finally got around to pulling out the bench- which was 1000x easier than I thought it would be- though I think plastic backing under upholstery on backside of seat may have cracked when pulling out. Probably brittle after 40 yrs.

To install the jumpseat, do I pull this cotter pin on these side posts? Then just put seat over and put pin back?

Dont recall seeing anything in POH but can recheck.

Any guidance appreciated.

 

[stewartb]

Those are screws. Unscrew them from their nut plates, put the jump seat in place and align the holes, and put the screws in. That’s all there is to it. Your rear seatbelts should clip onto D rings on the floor and the other side is bolted to a tab. You can add rear seat shoulder straps if you want.

 

[Cardiff Kook]

Thanks Stewart!

Got one in. Rear seat back is real tight. A little axle grease or something on there to loosen it up? Had to back it out w a rubber mallet.

 

[Cardiff Kook]

These seats/backs side specific?

 

[mvivion]

These seats/backs side specific?

The seat bottoms are, but seat backs are generic, in my experience.

MTV

 

[Cardiff Kook]

Having tough time getting left side one in- these black bracket behind seat rail standard issue? Pilot side rail was replaced so wondering if maybe that bracket got moved over a scosh in that process

 

[stewartb]

Thanks Stewart!

Got one in. Rear seat back is real tight. A little axle grease or something on there to loosen it up? Had to back it out w a rubber mallet.

Probably haven’t been apart much. Mine never have. A little oil and a rub with Scotchbrite should help.

 

[stewartb]

Cardiff, I’m not familiar with that tab but if the interference is minor I’d be tempted to use a drift or dull steel chisel and dent the tube to allow it the position properly. There’s nothing critical about the structure of that tube. If the tabs are simple to remove? Better yet.

 

[stewartb]

Another thought from my Skywagon time. I have one child and she always rode front seat with wife behind her. As you see the right seat slides back enough to block the rear seater’s access to the door. We put the kiddo up front and slid the seat forward. That gave wife plenty of space to get in and out and get the kiddo out whether with the seat got slid back or not. With the seat foward door lock access is easier from the back seat, too. If the wife sits in front and slides her seat back, getting to the kids in back is more difficult, especially if (like most) the seat is finicky to slide forward when empty. Stuff happens. Have a plan to get everyone out.

 

[aktango58]

Stewart has good advice.

I dislike these seats. I had BAS in my plane, and we had Atlee's in Sitka. These take time and can be frustrating to get screws in when cold and tired on a strip watching the clouds roll in. Also they don't pack well at all with baggage.

The one advantage these have, other than you own them, is that they do put the weight forward further than the Atlee and BAS. If it were me, I would be going with BAS seats after using the three options.

One tip I found to align is find a Phillips screwdriver that fits snug in the nut side to align one hole while you get the first screw started. Then start the second screw prior to getting either very tight.

A certain amount of relaxation and blue smoke out of the ears the first few times you install and you should have it down.

 

[stewartb]

Huh. I love mine. Atlee seats are rattle traps. I can install mine blind while talking over my shoulder and I use the same eye bolts for my Cessna seat reels so the front seats come out quickly, too.

 

[hotrod180]

I had a single factory jump seat in my old C170.
I was surprised to see that it only attaches to the airplane on the outboard side.
They do put the weight farther forward than BAS or Dodge seats,
but at the expense of leg room for the person sitting in it.
For a little kid it's great, but it's kinda tight for even a short adult.
I have BAS seats in my 180, I find them much more satisfactory.
They're out of the way when folded up, as opposed to the cessna jumpseats taking up room in the airplane even when removed.
You can always leave them in the hangar-- but of course, that's when you're gonna have an unexpected need to haul a backseater or two.

 

[stewartb]

I’ve carried lots of adult passengers and never had anyone complain. Once front seats are adjusted for flight there’s plenty of leg room in back. When full-size back seaters get in first there’s space for legs between the back seats if they turn a little while the front seats are slid back. If they let the front seaters get set first there’s plenty of space to get in sit comfortably. Not arguing, just a pirep for Cardiff.

 

[mvivion]

I operated these seats in C-185 with a LOT of passengers over the course of ~ 20 plus years. As Stewart says, these seats work fine, and legroom is great, once the front seats are moved forward, which they nearly always will be for flight.

That said, if your loads vary between all passengers, all freight and a mix of both, these seats take up a lot of room when stowed. That’s where the folding seats (Atlee Dodge or Lakeview) really shine.

Lets face it, the best seats in the 185 are the front seats. A full size adult seated in ANY of these back seats for very long is going to be a bit uncomfortable. The Cessna removable seats are likely a bit more comfortable than the Atlee or Lakeview, but it’s a small margin, if any.

MTV

 

[Cardiff Kook]

Another thought from my Skywagon time. I have one child and she always rode front seat with wife behind her. As you see the right seat slides back enough to block the rear seater’s access to the door. We put the kiddo up front and slid the seat forward. That gave wife plenty of space to get in and out and get the kiddo out whether with the seat got slid back or not. With the seat foward door lock access is easier from the back seat, too. If the wife sits in front and slides her seat back, getting to the kids in back is more difficult, especially if (like most) the seat is finicky to slide forward when empty. Stuff happens. Have a plan to get everyone out.

Question for Stewart: Was you kid ever in a car seat in the front seat or just the rear? What age range was she sitting front seat?

My fear with front seat is them touching the controls or opening a window- obviously they can be trained not to do that, but generally I have to tell my toddler not to do something at least twice.

 

[stewartb]

Never had a car seat in an airplane. I encouraged my kid and other kids to hold the yoke and help me fly. I never had any surprises. My bubbles have two latches each with the thumb button locks. Kid proof and sometimes adult proof, too. We used boat float cushions to elevate the seat for the kid. She was always my flying buddy until she left home. Good memories!