I have a 1958 Cessna 182 and I am a fairly large and tall guy (too many cheeseburgers and fried chicken!!). My biggest issue is, I'm finding myself always hunched over looking out the windows.

So my question is... Can I modify my seat frame height so I can sit lower with out any STC hassles? Or, is there an STC available for this mod? I know some planes have height adjustments for the pilot/co-pilot seats, but mine are fixed frames.

I know some guys have reupholstered their seats with different size foam to lower their seats. So that might be an option, you think?

58Skylane wrote: I am a fairly large

Tim

You cannot legally modify the seat structure. And, you don't want to either, since that structure, as simple as it may seem, provides a good deal of protection to your spine in the event of an accident.

Your best bet would be either to find a Cessna articulated seat, with height adjustment, or install some thinner bottom seat cushions. Take a look at the Tempur-Foam material--thinner sheets provide adequate support. Or, do both.

MTV

qmdv wrote:

58Skylane wrote: I am a fairly large

Tim

Get an instrument rating. Then you won't need to look out the windows!

Had a flight instructor take the controls and "Show me" how to do a short field landing over a simulated 50ft obstacle during a check out. He hit the same sink that I did on my first attempt and when we hit the ground I thought all 260lbs of him was going through the springs in the seat. If you have the aluminum light weight seats, look at were the roller castings go into the tubing, you may need to "repair" the seat by cutting the "damaged" section of tubing off each leg.

kevbert wrote:Get an instrument rating. Then you won't need to look out the windows!

Almost fell out of my chair on this one!! Thanks Kev!

Skydive206 wrote:Had a flight instructor take the controls and "Show me" how to do a short field landing over a simulated 50ft obstacle during a check out. He hit the same sink that I did on my first attempt and when we hit the ground I thought all 260lbs of him was going through the springs in the seat. If you have the aluminum light weight seats, look at were the roller castings go into the tubing, you may need to "repair" the seat by cutting the "damaged" section of tubing off each leg.

Ah ha!! I did have some pretty rough landings back when I was training in my Skylane. I better have those tubes inspected and repaired as noted