The International Cessna^® 170 Association

Would any approval be needed to install an inflatable lumbar support in the front seats?

Assume the thing passes a burn test.
I'd like to attach it under the upholstery somehow and have the bulb in the back pocket.

Also, has anyone actually gotten later model seats approved for the 170? I know they are installed from time to time but I'm curious about actual approval as I got my hands on a good set of semi-articulating seats out of a 172E in very good condition.

thanks,
-David

Why not rebuild the seats when you reupholster them? The gentleman that Greg Hren has used on his 170 and 180 basically tosses everything except for the seat frame and builds up and shapes the seats from high-density foam and contours them for lumbar support. It would be much simpler, and there is nothing to break underneath.

I'd be interested to hear the official approval basis for installation of later model seats into a 170. I believe Richard Pulley even has later model front seats installed as his rear seats in his airplane.

I was planning to get rid of the no-sag springs and go with AirtextInteriors to save some cost.
I don't want to end up with $2,000 apiece seats or anything.

The original seats in the plane are in really good shape, no tears, well within AD specs and brand new rollers. I figure I can offset the cost by selling them when it's all said and done.

My lower back can be pretty finicky so I thought the adjustable lumbar might be a good idea for longer hauls.

bagarre,

Why not just go ahead and install the bladder?
Do you think anyone in authority is likely to ever question it?
Remember that is always easier to beg forgiveness than to get permission.

delete

I have to admit, the photos you posted gave me seat envy.

I'll give him a call tomorrow and see what he says.

Ryan Smith wrote:............I'd be interested to hear the official approval basis for installation of later model seats into a 170. I believe Richard Pulley even has later model front seats installed as his rear seats in his airplane.

We have thoroughly hashed this out before. There is a Cessna letter in the archives somewhere that says something to the effect that all Cessna Series 100 seats can be used in all Series 100 Cessnas. This of course would not apply to C-150s and late models with the much larger and different design tracks or with different track spacing. In essence, if the seat fits and works without modification, it can be used.

My rear seats are middle seats from a C-206 which were field approved based on a Kenmore Air Harbor STC for the C-180/185 with a letter of authorization from Kenmore for installation in a C-170. If the plane does not have a float kit, extra structural support under the floor is required to support the rear seat tracks. The seats sit lower but are the same size cushions as the front seats. As a side note, there are 14 different part numbered 206 and 207 middle seats that can be used from the plush executive to the bare bones utility seats.

Wow. First I've heard of that.
Will need to find that.

I wouldn't hesitate to put that bladder in your seats. You can reupholster the entire seat. And the materials don't have to be burn proof only meeting the CAR 3 requirements which is something like burn resistant. Log entry under owner performed maintenance.

I'm sure we hashed this out before but assuming your don't modify any structure or approved seat belt system, any seat that fits the rails and uses the same rail engagement system is probably a minor alteration.

I did some digging around and found this.

http://cessna170.org/forums/viewtopic.p ... t+approval

Gary wrote:When I bought my 170 3.5 years ago, it had non-original seats installed.
In 1982 an A&P installed used, serviceable seats Part # 0515001-20 (pilots) and
Part # 0500210-130 (co-pilots).
My wrench guy found the paper work lacking on the installation and did some research.
He submitted a 337 and wrote "inspected installation and found to be safe and acceptable,
seat belt attach points remain the same.
Basic for approval per attached field approved 337 dated March 9, 1998 and attached copy of
Cessna 100 series maintenance manual page 3-15 Paragraph 3-22."
That line states "Basis for this installation is found in Cessna 100 series service manual.....
which states in part, "vertically adjustable individual seats operated manually or by electrical power,
may be installed in all airplanes except the model 150."

At face value, that seems good enough but the sited entry is in the 1963 and later 100 series manual. The 1962 and prior manual doesn't have that entry. That and the 170 isnt even listed in the manual makes it pretty thin approval.

My airplane has seats from a '75 172. There are many inconveniences involved with having those seats. If I were you I'd look hard at having your original seats reupholstered to meet your needs.