The International Cessna^® 170 Association

Hi Ho,

So it looks like I need to replace the pilots seat rails this annual. As I went through the search of the posts I noticed my choices were original cessna rails or the McFarlane (sp?) rails.
Sure the McFarlane rails are "fatter" but as George put it in one post they'll last far longer than me, but so will the regular cessna rails. However, I can't seem to find the regular cessna rails any cheaper than the McFarlane rails.

Question: Are the cessna rails less expensive and if so where?

Cheers,
Lee

Lee,
Ive never installed anything but McFarlanes....

The advantage of beefier rails is less chance of cracking due to heavy sitters. (The "successful look" stresses cabin floors and seat rails and crack them.)

As a person with "senority" I have the Mcfarlane rails on the pilot side, also installed their seat rollers. Mcfarlane is were we get our airbox repair kits and cables from also, good company to work with.

I had heard that the seats do not roll easily on the McFarlane rails, any truth to this?

Karl, before I replaced the seat rollers, I did notice a little difficulty in moving the seat, but the rollers were worn so I contributed it to that. I notice no problems now.

Sounds like McFarlane is the way to go, along with the template, rollers and maybe the screw kit they carry. Seems like on stop shopping and be done with it.
Thanks for all the help!

Cheers,
Lee

When you change your seat rails, if you put the old ones under the floor on the underside of your new rails you will really stiffen your floor and remove any flex from the weight applied at the seat level.

i've got a mcfarlane seat rail in N5LP for the co-pilot seat with original seat rollers. i do notice that it's a bit more difficult to roll the seat back and forth but it really isn't a big deal to me. i wasn't aware of the rollers made by mcfarlane, i'll have to look into those, especially when i replace my left seat rails.