Seat for a GA Simpit?

[Ronson2k9]

Ok. Guys and Gals. I'm looking for the best type of seat to do a few different things.

1 - Resemble that of the Cessna 206 seat.
2 - Be comfortable for those perhaps longish flights and rocky landings in a amphib aircraft.

Now it would be totally cool to get the actual seat that would come out of a Cessna 206 but I've been looking into to that for some time and can't find one that is say under $700.00us. So I'm thinking of doing the common Simpit substitute? A car or mini van will need to be the donor of my simpit comfort cruise.

I have a few plans but don't know if can bring them in to fruition or not.

Adding sound to the seat for engine vibration and perhaps landing?
- I had thought of adding a message pad to the seat but that seems kind of gimpy if not connected to the sim some how?
- Would be nice to have it adjustable so I can move it forward and back not so much up and down but that would be nice. Perhaps a bit to much work though to get that working.

Now I have to say I'm thinking minivan/truck more so then car for a few reasons.
- The hardware to suspend the seat at a good height is already there (perhaps a seperate purchase though).
- They are built for the long haul (more rugged/durable).
- Fairly plentiful so they aren't to expensive (checking a few local wrecker sights they range between $60-$120 for powered ones. A powered seat would be fun but not aircraft prototypical I'm thinking.

The seat need not be in perfect condition (upholstery wise) as I can get a cover for the seat.

What I'm looking for from the group here is there a good choice in the used market place that I should consider above the others.
- Cost
- Ease of use
- Prototype nearness.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers
Ron

[No Longer Active]

Look at marine seats for boats, usually these seats have some similarities to GA seats!

I'd get working on the MIP first before you start worrying about seats, this is the least of your problem yet!

Good luck, Alex....

By the way simkits sell a decent seat for 298 euros!

[Steve A]

I would definately recommend fitting a tactile tranducer (bass shaker) and amp to the underside of whichever seat you decide upon. There are a few to choose from, I found the buttkicker too expensive and went with aura bass shakers. Add those to the rumbling centre line of the runway and gear up etc and you wont be dissapointed.

[No Longer Active]

And you don't have piles at the end? lol.

[RojanTrojan]

What about this one Ron?

http://www.simkits.com/product.php?prodid=803

Not bad for 298euros - obviously conversion rate and delivery charge may make it more expensive though.

Rhydian
www.cessnaglasscockpit.blogspot.com

[Ronson2k9]

Thanks all.

Alex.
Yep I know about the MIP thing but I'm hoping to design/build the floor for the cockpit first. For that I need to know how I'm going to attach the seats. Everything else I'm pretty much getting from the drawings and so on. To know how to attach the seats I need to know the seat mechanics and so on. I'm going to put it on a movable frame so I can move it around a bit when needed. I've got some pretty heavy furniture so I feel the pain having to move that so lesson learned..

SteveA.
I was hoping for that info too. When I looked up Tactile Transducer I found this post - Tactile Transducer (http://www.lumenlab.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=17062) Looks pretty easy to do? There is a surplus store in the city that sells tons of speakers... So that's not going to be to much of problem.

Rhydian / Alex.
That seat looks pretty nice but I'm thinking it would work for an earlier version of the 206. Say an F model. I'm a bit farther ahead in years though. This is the Cessna 206 seat out of an 'H' model. It's much more like a car seat.
http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp244/Ronson2k3/Cessna206PilotSeat.jpg

298eu = $426cdn not including shipping which could be pretty great I'm thinking (heavy + international) I can get seats from a local wrecker for perhaps $200 or less and get free delivery. From what I've been reading online though I can get a pair of leather seats that are pretty similar. I found this great 'Canadian - Oshawa' site.

Truck and Car Seats + Parts (http://truckandcarseatsplusparts.com/SEATS-PARTS-C123646.aspx)

They will deliver but I can go and bring them back if need be for about 1/2 the delivery cost. I'm thinking though I should be able to find something like what they have locally though.

I don't necessarily want leather but if I have to well.. :) Of course I can go off the blueprints and pick something that is quite inexpensive that does the job but doesn't look close to the cessna206 seat.. Still an option. I'm hot hard and fast on the authenticity of the seat. Would be nice to be sure but there are many factors not the least of which is finding something close by.

I'm hoping to see what others are using for there seats. I know about the jump seats used in airliners. There have been some really great articles on them. From what I've seen of GA seats they are pretty commonly ex automotive seats. Seems like to be a pretty good resource and I'm sure what ever seat I end up with will be more comfortable then the one I'm in currently... ;)

[kermit]

Hi, Why not looking for boatseats,
The seats made for aluminium boats like alumacraft/Lowe/Lund looks just like the Cessna seats.
Also you have a device that can shift these seats on a rail and lock .
greetz

[Ronson2k9]

The boat seats look a bit like the older Cessna models I've seen. Even the older parts manual I have ('F' model) shows seats very similar to the ones you suggest except that I'm building a newer version of the 206. I'm sure I can get the track the seats sit on for the vehicle at the same time I get the seats. It may come with them but if not then I can get them I'm pretty sure.

I might be jumping ship though kind of. Carenado has come out with a C185 my favorite of the Cessna's. Only problem currently is that it's a fixed gear only version. NO floats (amphib or otherwise) YET??? The Stationair grew out of the Skywagon and so it would be quite cool to climb into that bird. I'm thinking of buying the Skywagon and checking it out (hoping for a amphib version later?). I've put quite a bit of work into the planning of the Stationair and don't want to chuck that just yet though. I do have all the data on the C185 though (out of love the plane) even though there hasn't been a great flight model for FSX until the aforementioned Carenado release. I've heard though that there will be a float version. I just don't what kind of float yet? It's got the horse for amphibious ops (if Carenado so chooses?). If it's only a straight float though could be rough. An amphibious version would be a clear slam dunk for me.

Just day dreaming a bit... :D
http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/7/6/3/1083367.jpg
Ah now that's a beauty...

Carenado C185F Skywagon FSX (http://www.carenado.com/ecommerce/buscador.php3?id_producto=80)

BTW for those building a C172 but would like to get your feet wet he has released a C172 float version.

Carenado C172N Float (http://www.carenado.com/ecommerce/buscador.php3?id_producto=71)

[kermit]

Hi, I know what you mean
Even when I `m looking telly , my mind drifts off.
My wife just looks at me and says: you are in the cockpit again?:D
I think its turning into more then a hobby.
greetz

[No Longer Active]

Here's a seat that is VERY similar to the seats you showed us in your picture....£40 each!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MERCEDES-W210-BEIGE-LEATHER-DRIVERS-SEAT-97-MODEL_W0QQitemZ170377417558QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item27ab491356#ht_6114wt_732

Good luck!

[AK Mongo]

The boat seats look a bit like the older Cessna models I've seen. Even the older parts manual I have ('F' model) shows seats very similar to the ones you suggest except that I'm building a newer version of the 206. I'm sure I can get the track the seats sit on for the vehicle at the same time I get the seats. It may come with them but if not then I can get them I'm pretty sure.

I might be jumping ship though kind of. Carenado has come out with a C185 my favorite of the Cessna's. Only problem currently is that it's a fixed gear only version. NO floats (amphib or otherwise) YET??? The Stationair grew out of the Skywagon and so it would be quite cool to climb into that bird. I'm thinking of buying the Skywagon and checking it out (hoping for a amphib version later?). I've put quite a bit of work into the planning of the Stationair and don't want to chuck that just yet though. I do have all the data on the C185 though (out of love the plane) even though there hasn't been a great flight model for FSX until the aforementioned Carenado release. I've heard though that there will be a float version. I just don't what kind of float yet? It's got the horse for amphibious ops (if Carenado so chooses?). If it's only a straight float though could be rough. An amphibious version would be a clear slam dunk for me.

Just day dreaming a bit... :D
http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/7/6/3/1083367.jpg
Ah now that's a beauty...

Carenado C185F Skywagon FSX (http://www.carenado.com/ecommerce/buscador.php3?id_producto=80)

BTW for those building a C172 but would like to get your feet wet he has released a C172 float version.

Carenado C172N Float (http://www.carenado.com/ecommerce/buscador.php3?id_producto=71)

I know what you mean, and when I saw the Carenado bird, I seriously started thinking of going that route for my pit. I got the carenado package, but have not playe dmuch with it yet. Gotta love the taildraggers though!

[Ronson2k9]

Here's a seat that is VERY similar to the seats you showed us in your picture....£40 each!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MERCEDES-W210-BEIGE-LEATHER-DRIVERS-SEAT-97-MODEL_W0QQitemZ170377417558QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item27ab491356#ht_6114wt_732

Good luck!

Thanks for the heads up Alex. If I lived in the UK it would be quite marvelous. Shipping from there to Canada is 250pounds though. So that brings it up to 290pounds each I would imagine or $460cdn I am going to look for that seat locally though and see what I can find...

In the autopart inventory search I found the same seat near Hamilton ON for $50cdn. It doesn't say what grade it is though so it could be a bit dubious. They have a grading scale on the inventory page. Could be worth a phone call though. This seat is out of a 1999 Mercedes E320. It has a bit more side bolsters then the one you showed me. It's got power and heat though. As I looked around I found the 'E' Class is the same as the W210 so that's what the inventory search gave me.

It's really quite cool. You perhaps couldn't make use of it though as you are in the UK. It's a North American listing.

Cessna 185F

I was a bit disheartened by the MIP in Carenado's C185F but then I'm not really using his panel anyway but I do want it to be authentic (If I go that route). Then I found this. It's a 1981 Cessna A185F. It even comes with EDO floats.

The real plane (not an FSX model :() For sale at...
http://www.flyteknisk.no/pages/brukt_NFD.htm

It's only $200k cdn. If I had a way there and a PPL and about an extra 180k LOL it would be mine. Gosh I'm having to much fun.

Anyway this MIP looks like something I could build with pride ..
http://www.flyteknisk.no/images/NFD/nfd_i55.jpg

So my heart is pounding pretty good right now. Just need the Big C to add some amphibious floats and well - "Darth Vador Voice - My journey will be complete" :D

My research on the 185F continues.. But it's looking like well a strong pull would have been required at the start and all that need happen now is a gentle nudge (from dockside of course) will have me in a newer older bird.

[No Longer Active]

See the yokes in the picture you just posted?

Are they the origional yokes to what the true cessna type is designed for as they look like the yokes you would find in a Cessna 152.

Best of luck.

Alex

[Ronson2k9]

Thanks again Alex. I've been hunting down yokes ever since I read that from you. The yoke itself is in two parts (well more then two) but there is a PAD in the middle of the yoke. A safety feature I'm thinking :) or a place to let you mount equipment if you like. The yoke itself looks very similar to the the PFC Mooney Yoke. Which comes in at $545.00us. I did find these though. Rams Horn Yokes - Ebay (http://cgi.ebay.ca/PAIR-OF-CESSNA-RAMS-HORN-YOKES-FOR-182-205-206-210-337_W0QQitemZ330408092233QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Aviation_Parts_Gear?hash=item4ceddb6249#ht_500wt_1182)

I'm thinking with a bit of cosmetic work I could get my USB CH-yoke looking much like that though.

http://www.aircraftspruce.ca/catalog/graphics/05-16600.jpg
Aircraft Spruce Yoke Upgrade (http://www.aircraftspruce.ca/catalog/appages/controlyoke.php)

They have a center pad for the yoke as well although not shown in the image.

I was thinking of how I could take apart and rebuild the CH Yoke. I don't want the on top throttle group but I could perhaps use the pots in the new push pull setup. I wanted to make a smaller foot print for current use. As well as upgrade the rod and slide (no more sticking/squeaking). I'd like to keep one button on the right for PTT and two rockers on the left for electric trims (ELV/Rud). I've seen 185's with a jerry rigged setup. A piece of sheet metal/wood with the electric trim P/B's mounted to them. That in turn was mounted to the back of the yoke or to the yoke rod itself.

I could maybe save myself about $40.00 and carve a pad out of a small chunk of 2x4. There is this interior paint you can get that is for painting over paneling. Used to cover all the fake wood bumps and such that I could use to smooth out the pad with. Or I could buy some vinyl and make it pretty close the pad with a bit of foam rubber too. Being wood that would also let me mount stuff to it. The aforementioned trims for instance.

It will look a bit like an airliner yoke as they sometimes have the electric trims mounted in a similar fashion. I'm going to do a photo mod on my CH and see what I can come up with.

I do think that in the earlier Cessna's there where a lot of added user mods out there. As the planes got older but where still quite usable. As older cars are built more ruggedly then newer ones. It makes the 185 very similar in that regard to the Beaver. Older but tougher. Can take a bit of pounding and come back for more.

As you can tell I'm getting pretty jazzed up...

Alex when I first read you were going to moving from a 172 to the 150 I kinda went Huh? Why down grade your sim to a degree? But know I think I understand.

Now getting back to the seats. The seats in a 185 are simpler again. Just hard to find 'simple' these days when looking at used car parts. There is a custom car show happening at the end of March here in the city. I'm planning on taking my step son too (he's into cars big time). I should be able to find some leads there?

Going to take a look at the yoke and post some info/pics shortly.

[No Longer Active]

Thanks for the heads-up!

Why did I downgrade everything? It was space mainly, my MIP sat at the bottom of my bed looking like a chest of draws with a blanket over it, it was huge, I have gone down from 1050mm wide to 890mm wide and about 100mm shorter in height, everything is more compact, I need less gauges, less avionics, less everything basically, more affordable, easier to move about, easier to build, and flyable quicker, it really does make sense. Again if I had the room I would of kept it, I made the Cessna 172 by mistake really not thinking about space, the more I built, the less space I had, it was a monster. Now I have a permanent place for my 150 and it just feels right now!

Kind Regards.

Alex

[No Longer Active]

Heres an outline that I made a while back, not accurate but similar, just cut the whole lot out of wood, making it from 2 pieces, 1 for the pad and 1 for the bars, make the bars as one piece like a buffollo horn and sand down smooth and round?

http://alexpilot.50g.com/yoke%20shape.jpg

[Ronson2k9]

Great sketch. Thanks Alex. It is pretty close. You wouldn't happen to have some dimensions on that guy would you?

Any idea what the small divot on the pad is for? A couple of my thoughts.
- a place for a map light?
- a place for the aircraft type 'Skywagon' or Cessna or something?

One think I hadn't thought of was weight of the yoke. I notice many people adding nails and other such weight to the yoke for added heft to the yoke (if hollow). In this case it would be solid but perhaps not all the 'hefty'

I do like the shape of the yoke you have drawn though. It's closer I think to the one out of the 185 then my CH would be. The hand holds are a bit smaller. I always felt the hand holds on the CH where a bit on the big side and I have big hands (being 5'-11" tall). The grips work opposite to what you would expect forcing you to grip harder then should actually be needed as the grip area is widened the closer you get to the top. This is an unnatural position for you hand. I can understand the needs of CH to get the controls to fit in the space but they could have made the yoke with a nearly singular diameter that way your hand isn't forced to compensate for lack of grip area.

I think I'm ready to start a separate thread now on the A185F. So moving to new digs.. hehe

[No Longer Active]

I don't know all the dimensions, but I do know it is 310mm wide, if that helps?

I will try and get full measurements for you soon from my local flying club from the cessna 152!

Cheers,

Alex

[No Longer Active]

Hi, I have the measurements!

300 x 140mm for the cessna yoke!

[Ronson2k9]

Thanks again.. I was at the Canadian Tire (Canadian Hardware chain) and found these..

Schedule 40 90 Degree Conduit Elbow, 1 1/2" ($1.29ea at Canadian Tire)
http://images.orgill.com/200x200/6552772.jpg

Home depot has a ton of this kind of stuff though so I should be able to find all I need there.

There hollow so I can put in wiring if need be? Then I could fill it up with buckshot or nails to add heft to it. I'm also thinking I can get a conduit cap that could work for the top of the handle. I come from a modeling back ground and so I can make things out of nothing quite readily.

I know it's not wood but it should save me a ton of time routing a curved handle out.

For the column I'm going to use a straight piece of metal conduit. The whole yoke assembly is black anyway including the column. So I can attach a collar to the conduit to connect the yoke to the column

This is the 1982 version of the yoke
http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp244/Ronson2k3/1982Cessna185Yoke.jpg

For the slide/MIP Mount I'm going to use UHMW (wiki) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultra_high_molecular_weight_polyethylene)plastic. It's super slippery and self lubricating. No more squeaky stutter starts and stops on this yoke (unlike the CH one).

I'm kind of debating weather or not to put in the PAD. I've seen earlier ones with no pad. Kinda looks pretty cool.

This one is out of 1969 A185F (with a fairly modern MIP I might add)
http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp244/Ronson2k3/CessnaA185FYoke1969.jpg

I myself don't know if the PAD was a must have for the later 185's if so I may not be able to avoid it. I plan on adding a yoke clipboard and so you wouldn't see the pad anyway. If you look closely at the later (1982) Yoke you will note that the pad looks glued in place. Don't know if that's because it had come off after years of use and was just glued back on or it was glued on to begin with?

For the body of the yoke. I was going to laminate 3 pieces of 1/8" MDF with a recessed space for wiring to go. Drill out the holes. Put the handles through two of then then run the wiring and glue the handles in place adding the 3rd on to the bottom. Then bondo the joints and sand/paint. That should get them looking pretty authentic. I'm even going to weather wear into the paint job. So it will look like it been in a Cessna for years.

A few other options
- The above conduit although in a smaller diameters comes in metal too. Although harder to work with the feel of cold steal (like the real one) could be worth it.
- I could add the previous posted addons from Spruce.
- I could make or buy a leather cover for them? Hiding all my hard work hehe... or shabby job which ever the case may be.. LOL

Not a huge project and a good place to get started on my new pit I would say..

[Cessna172sim]

Here you can see the actual metal framework and cushions of our sim seats:
http://www.lentosimulaattori.1g.fi/kuvat/assorted+construction+pictures/seats/

[Ronson2k9]

Great pics thanks for posting