Hey All,
I know there are numerous other threads on this topic, but I really need some concise advice on this. My mechanic is really pushing me to install the inertia reel under my seat. I already have and diligently use the "Safety-Stop" mechanism. I'm afraid to have him go bolting and riveting something to my plane that is going to irritate me in the future. I realize the extreme consequences of the seat track pin failing. Has anybody heard of the Safety-Stop not doing it's job?
Thanks a lot everyone, really digging this community as a resource.

I got one I did mine when Cessna paid for it, all I paid was sales tax, well not really I paid for it up front Cessna paid me back except the tax. It works fine I think, well my stops have never failed so I don't know if it works or not It's attached to the seat except the belt is bolted to the floor about 8" in front of the seat on the floor. I think it normally cost about $400 is that what he wants with labor?

If it’s installed and adjusted correctly you may not even notice it’s there. On my 172 I like the idea of it being there, no dicking around with a secondary lock, the only times I notice it’s there is when the pin is past the holes in the track and I try to push the seat back all the way with out lifting the release, or if you don’t lift the release and lock the restraint you have to move forward a bit to release it, for the most part I don’t even notice it’s there. The other thing , it's free from Cessna. The last time I checked they would install it for free if you made an apointment and droped it off for a day at a Cessna service center. At least for me they agreed to send me the kit and let my A&P install it,(I did plead my case of hardship of living rural and I would have to either stay in a hotel or make two trips to the Cessna service center to acomplish this task) they were also wiling to pay him book rate on the install. In my opinion install it! It’s a good safety feature in a Cessna.

I use the Safety-Stop on both front seats as part of my flow check, always. Never needed it since I started using 'em.

Had one Cessna seat pop loose backwards, one time. Coulda been ugly, but luckilly I was doing a C206 charter out of Russian Mission for a couple of hunters heading home thru Bethel. Airplane was so stuffed full of shit all the seat could do was move back about six inches. Still got my attention though.

Gump

I had mine installed last summer and Cessna paid for the whole thing. Like you I was hesitant at first but my mechanic convinced me it was the right thing to do. Fast forward five months and no regrets at all. When installed correctly you will never even think about it again. Works perfect, I highly recommend

Good Luck- Dave

DBI wrote:I had mine installed last summer and Cessna paid for the whole thing. Like you I was hesitant at first but my mechanic convinced me it was the right thing to do. Fast forward five months and no regrets at all. When installed correctly you will never even think about it again. Works perfect, I highly recommend

Good Luck- Dave

This is something new to me. The under seat reel and the "free" concept too . What planes are eligible for the Cessna paid install and how do you go about getting it done? DBI, I know you have the same model as mine, so maybe you could enlighten me.

I didn't know the words "free" and "Cessna Service Center" could be used in the same conversation.

They work, and only the pilot's seat mod was free. Have your mechanic contact Cessna Service. Not sure the "free" offer still stands.
If not, do it anyway. Great safety feature, and long overdue.
MTV

My mechanic was able to get the parts and get re-imbursed for the labor, from cessna. So based on what you all have to say, I'll go ahead and let him instal it.
Thanks for all the insight.
-ADL

RWM- call my mechanic Josh (208-523-4283) and see if the offer still stands. I thought it was set to expire this fall. Part of my hesitation was the word "free". Come on...really? So I inspected a 206 before I let the dude work on my plane and ended up paying not one dime It is still a great safety upgrade even if you have to pay for it. Good Luck. P.S. My new fork/tire install is starting Thursday (not that I am counting the days).

DBI wrote:RWM- call my mechanic Josh (208-523-4283) and see if the offer still stands. I thought it was set to expire this fall. Good Luck.

Thanks Dave. I'll give him a shout.

P.S. My new fork/tire install is starting Thursday (not that I am counting the days).

Like waiting on Santa

Ross

Free is still going on! Not sure for how long, but I just had it installed on mine.
Nothing to loose, if you don't like it take it off. I like the way it works and trust it, enough to discard the cam-locks.
Go to a Cessna certified mech. and you don't pay a cent! Still not sure why Cessna feels obligated to foot the bill on these 50yr old planes.

Free through June 15, 2012. Service bulletin here:

http://www.cessnaservicebulletins.com/Bulletins/SEB07-5-R02.pdf

And, for the record, I hate mine.

What is everybody's opinion about an AD ever happening in the future? That's been my worry. If I don't take advantage of having Cessna pay for it now, with my luck an AD will come out later down the road. Then I'm stuck with the bill. Guess I should just get mine installed.

kevbert wrote:Free through June 15, 2012. Service bulletin here:

http://www.cessnaservicebulletins.com/Bulletins/SEB07-5-R02.pdf

And, for the record, I hate mine.

Curious why you don't like it?

I have one of these "free" seat Inertia reel "locks" under my seat in 182. Several years ago I wrote of a incident at L25 airstrip that nearly cost me my airplane and possibly my life. I have at least 3 positive seat locks on my 182 now. If I can find the post I'll put it up here . The under seat Inertia reel lock is far from perfect but another piece of safety equipment. Adjustment is tricky at best . The seat rail locks in 2 places have never let me down. Seat track and seat pins are ??? questionable at best. I start up with door open and slide front and rear seat locks in place -(and lock )before I close the door. I also leave my seat belt loose until engine starts -If I have to unass the airplane I don't want to waste valuable seconds getting out. YMMV .

Here's the original post Original was Feb. 10 ,2007 reposted april 2009 ---
Nearly lost Control

Postby 182 STOL driver » Mon Apr 27, 2009 7:41 am
Flight:
Yesterday I took a flight to the Arizona Strip -Northwest Arizona . I went north west of Grand Gulch in search of new strips that could be used to get away. About 25miles north west I found a strip very long and wide with some small buildings and shed . I wanted to mark the strip on the map so I punched the trusty SPOT (check OK ) and flew by at wingspan height. Good looking strip probably 3000 ft x 60 plus wide. Dirt of course with small ragged windsock. I was thinking of landing but decided I'd go back to Grand Gulch to have my Subway Sandwich. I flew over Grand Gulch and noticed wind was 90 degrees to main runway and blowing strong. Grand Gulch is narrow so I decided to press on to L25 -Pierce Ferry for a wider runway. I arrived at L25 10 min. or so later and landed ,wind was light and variable. I set out my lawn chair under wing and got out my sandwich/water lunch . After a hour or so the wind had picked up a little but still within reason. I proceed to the North end of the strip and dropped 10 degrees of flap in preparation for my departure. My normal departure is go full power on a roll and pull the nose up to keep the prop out of the dirt . I did and nose came Immediately I reached down and grabbed Johnson bar( now 2011 have a EZFLAP.COM handle/STC) and pulled another 10 degrees and we broke ground > just then the quartering (right to left) wind kicked in and we started toward the left hand side of runway .I rolled airplane to right to correct the "here come the bushes" and then it happened _____ THE GOD DAMM SEAT Slid Back away from my normal position. I relized that unless there was corrective action soon it was going to be all she wrote for me and the 182. There I was nearly in back seat trying to pull my self forward -I garbed glareshield (thanks Dennis Ashby ) with my right hand to get me back in position. I was now 8-10 foot off the deck 40 knots and hanging on ! Lowered the nose and gained some needed airspeed and started to see some increase in altitude. Shifting my butt around and trying to lock the Cessna seat took another second or so. I was off the airport runway but Downtown Meadview was ahead. I thundered down toward the biggest part of trailers . I gained 2-3 hundred ft. and looked ahead to see a big tower overlooking "city center fire station"
I turned to the side and continued to climb . Old airstrip in Meadview still has a wind sock and a few airplanes about. For what's it worth I'm buying or making a new and stronger seat lock to prevent this from ever happening again.

Of course I now have more seat locks to hopefully never have this loss of control. Pilot seat is only one with Inertia Reel -all others have at least 2 or more locks. I have 206 seats in back (when there there)with seat rails (thank you Kenmore Airharbor STC) with 2 locks each. I take all of the seats out and load my "stuff" and only put what seats I need for the "mission "back in. When flying Idaho I have one pilots seat and one 206 seat for the back. Remove the doors for easy access and loading "stuff"-alternative is "skydiver-floatplane door(s).

How difficult is it to remove the pilots seat with this inertial reel deal installed? I use the cam lock types now and have been happy with them. Thanks.

CAVU

CAVU wrote:How difficult is it to remove the pilots seat with this inertial reel deal installed? I use the cam lock types now and have been happy with them. Thanks.

CAVU

Remove bolt from forward floor end and slide seat out .

Thanks. I'd still like to hear why Kevbert hates his. I've heard mixed reports before, but this thread is running more positive.

CAVU

Terry wrote:

kevbert wrote:Free through June 15, 2012. Service bulletin here:

http://www.cessnaservicebulletins.com/Bulletins/SEB07-5-R02.pdf

And, for the record, I hate mine.

Curious why you don't like it?

The thing occasionally sticks so I can't slide the seat back when trying to get in or out (not sure, but might be temperature related). I previously was in the habit of keeping things under my seat (fire extinguisher, pistol, lunch, etc.) that don't fit now. And, I was initially under the impression that Cessna was fixing something now due to legal pressure that was so rare that it hadn't really been a problem for the last 50 years.

I'm starting to hear occasional stories about people sliding back unexpectedly, sometimes pitching up due to the sudden pull on the yoke. There might be more to the problem than I first believed, so I've decided to keep the stupid thing and just curse it for the emotional release. Stupid bleeping reel is taking almost a six pack out of my useful load!!!

Cessna has now started paying for the copilot's seat as well, something they didn't do when mine was installed. Has anyone decided to go for or against installing it as well? [EDIT: further research shows this rumor to be false]

I'd like to take advantage of this for any other pilots that might fly my plane. However, I'm 6'7 or so and only scoot the seat forward a couple notches anyway to put the fuel valve barely in reach- the plane is almost comfy to fly with the seat all the way back for me.

Maybe the cam lock device would be better? Where do I find each of the solutions: cam locks and reels?