Fri Dec 09, 2011 12:06 am
Hello,
Some of you will recognize me from Supercub.Org. I've never posted here but stumbled upon this topic and it grabbed my attention so I thought I'd fill in some blanks for those who haven't installed the Cessna supplemental seat lock. I own and fly a 180J and like most Cessna pilots have used a seat rail lock for most of my ownership years. A couple of years ago I had a start-up engine fire and found myself stuck in the seat because in the commotion to get out of the plane, my seat jammed my Aerostop. That was an eye-opening experience, being stuck in a burning plane. Now I have Cessna's locking reels installed on both front seats and the Aerostops are retired. Let's talk about a few statements I've read in this thread. First, the reels are not inertial. They are normally locked reels that can be released by a cable control that connects to the stock seat adjustment linkage upstream of the locking pin. Lifting your seat adjustment control simultaneously retracts the release cable.Until the cable is retracted the reel is firmly locked. It is a fail secure system. For the guy who says his reel doesn't release properly? Take about 30 seconds with an open end wrench and adjust the cable length. It's done at the cable bracket that attaches to the seat. The cable is shortened or lengthened by adjusting two jam nuts on the cable housing. Very intuitive. Incredibly simple. Properly adjusted the release mechanism is invisible and undetectable to the user and it works perfectly. Should you have it installed? On Cessna's nickel? Hell yes you should. And then you should insist that they install one on the right seat on your nickel. Your passengers are more likely to improperly lock the seat than you are and are also more likely to respond improperly by grabbing anything they can reach if their seat slides back. What'll they grab? The control yoke. My wife, a regular flier, has demonstrated that to me a few times through the years. It's my belief that potentially fatal aft seat motion is the result of improper locking rather than seat pin failure. Trust me, the right seat needs a passive safety lock. Somebody asked why nobody make good seat rails? Cessna and McFarlane both make excellent seat rails, but nothing lasts forever. The youngest 180s in the fleet are approaching 30 years old. The early models are approaching 60. Most probably have original seats and rails. Locking holes wallow out. Rails crack from stress and wear. And the Cessna seat locking pin is also suspect. Especially as the tip wears. Speaking of that, didn't somebody ask about seat pin failure? I had my pilot seat locking pin break this summer, and I mean break in two. It wasn't what I expected, either. When the seat pin broke the seat didn't slide back like all the stories tell you. In fact when the seat pin broke the broken piece separated from the main pin and could no longer be lifted from the track hole to release the seat. So in fact the seat couldn't move at all, which troubles me as much as having it move against an auxiliary lock. I climbed out and investigated. After I removed the broken pin I found the seat reel 100% effective in controlling the aft motion of the seat. The new seat pin, a ridiculously simple piece of metal, cost me $350. Also consider that seat rail wickets and pedestal legs can break, and rails can break. Guess what? The lock reel will arrest seat movement from those failures, too.
Like some others around here, I lost a friend last summer in what was a horrible crash. It took the lives of Lonn Greiner, his kids, and his mom. It's been widely speculated that the accident may have resulted from a seat failure. Maybe yes, maybe no. But a maybe that killed 5 people that I knew is good enough reason for me to ask all of you to take a simple and inexpensive step to prevent that maybe from happening to you and yours. If you have a lock, bravo. Please consider adding a second one. If you haven't added them, please consider doing so. Your flow chart that includes a manual rail lock is not a reliable solution. The Cessna reels are the best supplemental seat lock available, hands down. When somebody invent a better one, I'll be first in line to upgrade.
If I knew how to post pictures I'd post a few. The reel is made by Amsafe, the big guys in the aviation restraint business. I have a shot of the reel installation. I also have photos of the cable adjustment mechanism, and of a handy clevis screw for no-tool removal and installation of the seats. I'll try to figure out how to post pictures. If you're on the fence about this safety mod, perhaps they'll help alleviate any concerns you might have. Stay safe.
StewartB
