While removing and installing my seats last week, I noticed that my pilots seat is considerably heavier than my right seat, like several pounds. The right seat frame is made from square tube, the pilot seat has a cast frame. The right seat has an adjustable back rest with an arm that goes into one of a few notches, while the pilot seat has a crank for backrest adjustment and a crank for height adjustment.
I fly with my seat all the way forward and all the way up. I suspect that seats with the vertical adjustment are all of the cast and heavy variety. Or, is there a lighter weight alternative for the pilot seat?
With the seats out, sitting against the wall, I noticed that the backs are not even the same shape. Like different years, or different aircraft models.

What model airplane? Cessna seats are very interchangeable. The articulating seats are desirable for most people, but you could probably track down a fixed seat (just the backrest moves) easily. The later model seats are usually taller as well, with a headrest or the like.

I'm sure your 1953 180 originally came with the plain, simple, round-top, non-articulated early seats-- light and simple.
I prefer them over the later, heavier, more complex versions.
I'm sure theres someone out there who's got an early seat who would love to trade for your multi-adjustable one.
Sounds like your RH seat isn't an original either, maybe you can trade off both.

Funny story....when I bought my old C170 back in 1997,
it came with a pair of square-top, multi-adjustable later model front seats.
I didn't care for them & before too long managed to trade them off for some original style seats.
A few years later, I met a guy who used to own the airplane (about 3 owners back) who asked me how I liked the fancy seats he'd installed.
He seemed rather offended when I said I didn't like them & had gotten rid of them.

The seats I have are in pretty nice shape, they have been recovered and are decently comfortable, but if I could take a few pounds off without losing comfort, I'd be in. I like my pilot seat for height, but could probably get used to a lower one after using it. Are the original ones much different in comfort? How about height?

Comfort all depends on how the seat upholstery was done. If original horsehair and springs, not so much, if recovered with modern foam - excellent. If you need the articulating seat all the way forward and all the way up - original seat is not going to work for you - unless you get extra foam added by a custom upholsterer. If all this is to save a few pounds, easier and much cheaper to go on a diet. lol

Mark Y. wrote:…..If you need the articulating seat all the way forward and all the way up- original seat is not going to work for you..

I'm short (5-5) and the stock early C180 seat works just fine for me.
No extra padding or anything.
Mine are old & kinda funky and so I might get them reupholstered one of these days,
but adding height to the seat is not required or desired..

hotrod180 wrote:I'm short (5-5)

Explains everything

akgreg wrote:

hotrod180 wrote:I'm short (5-5)

Explains everything

Great...now I have piss on my office chair. Thanks Greg...

Ha!

Last night I looked at my seats side by side. The front edge of both seats is the same with the articulating one all the way up, but the rear of the seat bottom on the articulated seat is actually lower by probably 2 inches. I like a seat that is higher in the front than the rear, but I'm going to switch the two seats and fly it from the non articulated one and see how I like it. I like the idea of an adjustable back rest, but it probably makes no difference.

StillLearning wrote:Last night I looked at my seats side by side. The front edge of both seats is the same with the articulating one all the way up, but the rear of the seat bottom on the articulated seat is actually lower by probably 2 inches. I like a seat that is higher in the front than the rear, but I'm going to switch the two seats and fly it from the non articulated one and see how I like it. I like the idea of an adjustable back rest, but it probably makes no difference.

The articulating mechanism in those seats does two things: One crank raises/lowers the seat, the other tilts the seat. Seat BACK angle is done with a latching mechanism if I recall.

Articulating seats are nice if you have several people flying the same plane. But, get a good fixed seat and have it rebuilt for your build and taste, and you’ll save not only weight, but maintenance. The articulating seats roll pins require replacement occasionally, not a huge deal, but it adds up. Not an issue if you’re careful, but....

MTV

I am going the opposite direction - I would love to have heavier seats, as in the later style adjustable ones in place of my '57 simple ones.

Maybe we should trade.

I have two cranks on the front of the pilot seat, one adjusts the seatback recline, the other raises and lowers the seat bottom, it may also change the inclination of the seat bottom, but I have not checked.
I am the only one that flies my plane, I'll make it fit me.

I am tall through the body and the pilot seat in my 182B will move fore and aft and only tilt. Does anyone know if a later model crank seat will fit the 182B or if rebuilding the seat involves changing the frame?

Typically, when we talk about rebuilding a seat, we’re referring to selecting and carving new foam cushions to suit the pilot. The foam density is chosen to suit the weight and comfort preference, and the the thickness is chosen to suit the preferred wheel to eye height of the pilot. The frame and rollers and upholstery are also refurbished including paint and hardware as required/desired.

Modifications to the seat frame are rare.

meekerflyer wrote:I am tall through the body and the pilot seat in my 182B will move fore and aft and only tilt. Does anyone know if a later model crank seat will fit the 182B or if rebuilding the seat involves changing the frame?

Later model seats should fit fine.
If you were closer I'd trade you, id like a lighter fixed seat for my 206.