Rear Seat Removal

Any options for a push button release like you see in a R44/22?

I didn’t know a AP could give a endorsement like that

In the US it seems lots of rotor wing pilots are kosher removing controls all the time?
 
There are such a thing as Nylock Castellated nuts. In this application I would suggest using one if you are just using a clip, otherwise put a cotter pin in it and bend it over. I have also caught cotter pins on their last legs before falling out especially where the rudder cable thimble connections go into the rear rudder pedals. That spot gets rubbed on a lot and is also a good place to put a Nylock Castellated nut. If you think this is over kill, then this note is for you.

Brian
 
Did not know that. Are they taller than a standard castellated nut? Have you considered Loctite?
 
Bob,

They are taller by a bit. No never considered Loctite but that's a good idea.

Happy Holidays,

Brian
 
Dale had posted a picture of the official ACA approved seat quick pins and cover. I leave the stick out unless I’m giving someone dual, which isn’t often.

I use nylock nuts now mounting the seat, I do pull the seat for camping trips/mountain bike, so quick pins are in my future.

Parts diagram from ACA shows different hardware securing the rear stick in the socket, vs the front. It is meant to be easily removable without tools.
Diagram, and my airplane, shows a cowling pin AN416-2, but shows under part#19 as AN380-2-2 in the diagram.
 

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Is there a clear word on this as far as legality? Any required 337 or AP/IA sign off etc. I want to remove rear stick and seat for a trip to alaska from lower 48. My concern is inspection at border crossings. I don’t want any surprises. I’ll manage the weight/balance and shifting with cargo nets. FWIW - The summer I bought my 1947 Champ, I removed the rear stick and seat and put the “doggie bowl” over the lower stick holder and went to Oshkosh full of camping gear. worked great!
 
In my wildest dreams I can not imagine that the Canadians are going to have a issue because you have no rear seat. However if you want to get crazy then have a weight and Balance provision spelled out on paper that shows the rear seat removed and re-calculated. The stick is a non starter in any event, not a issue. I guess the next question is why take the rear seat out when in most cases it is an asset for holding cargo. I guess if it's non-folding its a bit of an issue. I have done it both ways and it ends up being more of a advantage to have the seat in there than out. If you leave it out and you get up here into south central Alaska and you find you needed it contact me as I have a rear seat laying here collecting dust. It too is out of a 1965 ECA. I also believe your aircraft was used as a proto type at one point to prove to the feds that using a 0320 engine was doable in like type.

Cheers, Brian
 
- back seat is not folding so I find it a pain getting on my knees to access stuff behind it....so far. but with only 20 hours, I'm still getting used to it so listening to what you are saying on using it. Doing a flight to Big Bend Texas next month so I'll try out hauling gear then.
- Canadians shouldn't care is what I hear, so thanks. BTW, it was a flying-to-alaska article that mentioned having a 337 with you if using auxiliary tanks installed inside. That's what made me think someone's gonna be looking at my airplane with an eagle eye at the border. up till then I assumed they'd check my pilots license and passport and make sure no hand guns.
- YES, you are correct. I dug through the logs when I bought it <2 months ago and found the various O320 testing approvals. and I thought the O-200 was awesome in my Champ!

Thanks Brian. I too slip-in-on-final !
 
There was a strange regulation having to do with drug transport, I think, that mandated on-board paperwork for fuel tanks in the cockpit area. Not sure the Canadians have that regulation.
 
I find a folding seat a lot more useful than a baggage door, especially when you can flip the lower cushion forward. Flew up to Tuktoyaktuk a while ago and carried extra fuel in jugs. No Canadian regulation against that. Even the occasional hoity-toity truck fuelers that refused to fill a jug (Shell?), would patiently wait while I siphoned a wing tank into the jug and then refilled the wing for me.
 

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Ya not filling the plastic jug thing seems a bit much but there are some bad stories out there on static electricity and 5 gal plastic fuel cans. I do sometimes fill out of 5.5 gal fuel containers once in a while, however believe it or not I ground those plastic fuel containers with a light metal cable and large gator clips attached.

I was a aircraft carrier Mechanic in the 70s working with Liquid Oxygen, hydraulic fluid leaks, and fuel anything not grounded put you in the jail house for a day with those crazy looking bored out of their mind Marine types. So I ground everything.

I don't know why I never thought about taking that lower seat cushion out to make loading easier. Good Idea.

Cheers, Brian
 
I am pretty careful about grounding, but seems to me that making sure the can is touched to the airframe before and during refueling, at first well clear of any fumes, is as good as a cable.

Same with filling them. Put them on the ground and touch with the nozzle well away from the filler neck?
 
Nuchatlitz said:
Dale had posted a picture of the official ACA approved seat quick pins and cover. I leave the stick out unless I’m giving someone dual, which isn’t often.

I use nylock nuts now mounting the seat, I do pull the seat for camping trips/mountain bike, so quick pins are in my future.

Parts diagram from ACA shows different hardware securing the rear stick in the socket, vs the front. It is meant to be easily removable without tools.
Diagram, and my airplane, shows a cowling pin AN416-2, but shows under part#19 as AN380-2-2 in the diagram.
Click to expand...
Good info. Found it in the thread. thank you
 
Nuchatlitz said:
Dale had posted a picture of the official ACA approved seat quick pins and cover. I leave the stick out unless I’m giving someone dual, which isn’t often.

I use nylock nuts now mounting the seat, I do pull the seat for camping trips/mountain bike, so quick pins are in my future.

Parts diagram from ACA shows different hardware securing the rear stick in the socket, vs the front. It is meant to be easily removable without tools.
Diagram, and my airplane, shows a cowling pin AN416-2, but shows under part#19 as AN380-2-2 in the diagram.
Click to expand...

well, I have had no luck finding the part number or source for the black plastic stick hole cover you show well in he photos. Can you help? Where do I find the parts diagram for 1965 Citabria you mention? Previous post? thanks
 
Steve,

You will not find a stick socket cover diagram or P/N for a stick socket cover in a 1965 Citabria parts manual. It is pretty low tech and not super helpful. Call ACA and ask for a rear stick socket cover. I have a parts manual for a 1965 7ECA that came from Wag Aero but they sold out to aircraft spruce and they might have it but highly unlikely. Anything they have would probably only be the latest parts manual or service manual.

Brian
 
Good news. I ordered the rear stick hole cover but in my dreams thought about a pile of camping gear jamming the throttle! Oh dang. But when I received the shipment, they have started including a rear throttle cover whenever the stick cover is ordered according to Chad at ACA ! Cool. I need two more snap screws they did not include, but hey, this was a nice surprise.
 

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I too recently bought all of the quick removal pins, covers, etc for the rear seat in my ‘75 7ECA.

The rear seat belts attach at the rear seat legs where they attach to the fuselage. When using the quick removal pins, where do the seat belts attach?
 
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