Atlee Dodge folding seats

Vermont170 · Post by **Vermont170** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 9:52 pm

Hi 170 folks,
I recently bought my 170A and just joined the the 170 Assoc. I've been reading the posts here for a while and want to say thanks for all the good information.
Does anyone have any experience with the Atlee Dodge seats? They are a little less expensive than the BAS seats, but I don't know if the quality is as good. BAS is currently out of seats and won't be building more for a few months.
My first annual is coming up and I want to install the seats at the same time if I have any money left. Thanks for any info.

funseventy · Post by **funseventy** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 11:05 pm

Last I checked they were $1050 for the pair. It will cost you another $1000 by the time you install them and put on very simple upholstery. They do require quite a bit of labor for a first time installer and they do not come with upholstery. The quality is good and I have enjoyed the ones I've installed. I have flown several commercial airplane with them, 180, 182, and 185. I have installed 3 pairs myself and I believe them to be a good deal. I like the finished look better than the BAS seats.

Curtis Brown · Post by **Curtis Brown** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 12:08 am

Welcome to the Association and good luck with your 170. I noticed you are in Vermont, I use to live in Killington over 20 years ago. I have been thinking of flying my 170 up your way.
Where are you and what can you tell me about Vermont and airplanes. I thought the fall would be a perfect time to make the trip.
Curtis

funseventy · Post by **funseventy** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 12:10 am

Curtis is just looking for a place to show off his fresh airplane.

Sounds like me.

Kelly

Vermont170 · Post by **Vermont170** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 12:38 am

Thanks for the prompt responses. Funseventy, where do the seat belts get attatched? Sounds like the Dodge seats may be what I want.
Curtis, come on up. I live in Stowe, northcentral part of the state. The flying here is good I guess, when the weather is good. Which is almost never. I've only been flying for 2 years and most of it has been in and around Vt. Late Sept/early Oct. would probably be the best time to come up, I'd avoid January like the plague.

funseventy · Post by **funseventy** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 12:43 am

They clip into tiedown rings that clip into the seat track. Which is a good question, because they don't come with the kit. You can buy the clip style seat belts from AC Spruce for 60 bucks each.

Curtis Brown · Post by **Curtis Brown** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 12:47 am

Kelly, you are the one with the fresh paint and I am not done yet... I still have the mount to fix once the paint shop is done. I really do want to fly cross country somewhere someday... I dream of flying out west and have spoken to you about it. But after living in Vermont it would be fun to see how things have changed and if I could locate old friends. May be someday.

Post by **GAHorn** » Wed Mar 17, 2004 2:33 pm

Starting in early November, Arkansas is one of the great flying destinations as for looking at fall colors. Lots of good airports and state parks with accomodations, fishing, etc.
A great destination, Curtis, will be Tehachipi, CA for the convention this July 4th!!

pdb · Post by **pdb** » Fri Mar 19, 2004 4:05 am

Vermont170 wrote:Hi 170 folks,
I recently bought my 170A and just joined the the 170 Assoc. I've been reading the posts here for a while and want to say thanks for all the good information.
Does anyone have any experience with the Atlee Dodge seats? They are a little less expensive than the BAS seats, but I don't know if the quality is as good. BAS is currently out of seats and won't be building more for a few months.
My first annual is coming up and I want to install the seats at the same time if I have any money left. Thanks for any info.

I have one in the back of my 170. The quality is excellent. Atlee Dodge parts and mods are absolutely top drawer in terms of design, materials, and fabrication.The seat is very sturdy and comes out in about 30 seconds when you want to remove it.

As someone has noted, installation is a job and its best to get someone who has installed one before to do it but any good mechanic should be able to do a decent job if he takes his time.

I took by bench seat out and installed a single AD seat. I now have plenty of room for gear when hauling 3 and the seat track can be used for anchoring other cargo as well. Guess what the dog's sled harness (a superior restraint for flying dogs) clips into when we go flying?

zero.one.victor · Post by **zero.one.victor** » Fri Mar 19, 2004 6:30 am

A possibly cheaper alternative,especially for a three-seat arrangement,is installing a single Cessna 185 jumpseat ("divided middle row seat") in place of the stock rear bench. It's a field approval/337 show,but these can be had pretty cheap-- I've got less than $250 into my single junpseat & seatbelt.
This is a pretty nice set-up for the 170 which is a good three-person airplane--easy cargo-bay access but still the ability to haul a second passenger when needed. The jumpseat is an easy install and it's easy to remove when necessary for larger cargo loads.

Eric

170C · Post by **170C** » Fri Mar 19, 2004 12:46 pm

Erick, how is your 185 seat attached in your 170? 30 seconds to remove, how about reinstalling? How long does it normally take? Do you have the seat on one side or in the middle?

170C · Post by **170C** » Fri Mar 19, 2004 12:48 pm

Eric, sorry about the spelling of your name!

Frank

funseventy · Post by **funseventy** » Fri Mar 19, 2004 3:44 pm

Frank,

Send me a PM with your e-mail address and I will send you a digital picture of the installation.

Kelly

Sometimes they are easier to find in pairs. I need a RH, if you find a pair and would be happy with the LH. I might also have a source.

Vermont170 · Post by **Vermont170** » Fri Mar 19, 2004 3:57 pm

Kelly, can you email the pics to me also? I ordered the Dodge seats and my mechanic and I will be installing them in a couple weeks. I'll PM my email if I can figure out how to do it. Thanks, AL

pdb · Post by **pdb** » Fri Mar 19, 2004 4:04 pm

170C wrote:Erick, how is your 185 seat attached in your 170? 30 seconds to remove, how about reinstalling? How long does it normally take? Do you have the seat on one side or in the middle?

Pokey:

I installed my single AD seat in the rear behind the pilot. My thinking was that there might be times when I wanted to haul a large object, in my case, a folding kayak, that is pretty long. I could remove the front right seat and have plenty of unobstructed length on the right hand side for cargo.

The seat back of the Atlee Dodge seat folds down so, with the seat installed, its very easy to reach over and behind the seat to get stuff in the back.

Locals like the 185 jump seat option as well but they can be expensive as the local 185 operators are reluctant to part with them until they crash.

The International Cessna^® 170 Association

Atlee Dodge folding seats

Atlee Dodge folding seats

Re: Atlee Dodge folding seats

Erick's Jumpseat

Eric's Jumpseat

Re: Erick's Jumpseat