Seats .. the final frontier !

[NicD]

We've got 737-200 crew seats for the sim and they are sitting there unbolted right now. In the real aircraft these seats were fully bolted down and don't move on rails. In the 737NG the seats move aft and sideways on 'J rails" to allow crew to get in and out of the seats. NG seats with J-rails are not available (used), and if they were would cost $20k+

Trouble is ... we're installing 737-200 seats in a 737NG ! Fore/aft movement is good but without sideways movement its very difficult to get in and out of. I'm thinking that the centre pedestal of the 737-200 must have been narrower than the NG?

Anyways - just wondering if anyone else has come across this issue and has ideas on how we could get sideways movement of the seats?

cheers

[brianwilliamson]

Gooday Nic, I have had the same trouble and I am using seats out of a Cessna 310. I have actually moved them sideways more than normal, but it just gives enough leg room to get in and out without feeling too awkward being slightly to one side. The further back you can slide the better. I even looked at a second set of rails on the floor so as to extend the distance you can slide back.
Cheers.................Brian W.

[NicD]

G'day Brian - and thanks. Trouble with the Boeings is they have this yoke thing .. and the seat has a notch out of the front for the yoke to move into when you pull it way back .. so that limits how you can set the seat laterally.

[brianwilliamson]

Forgot about that funny thing in the middle !!!!
Brian W

[Westozy]

Hi Nic, can you mount the rails on something that pivots near the pedals so it allows a swing to the side? Just a thought!

Gwyn

[NicD]

Thanks for the suggestions. I've uploaded a photo of the seat, you can see the rear feet that bolt to the floor. Front ones are similar.

Unfortunately theres not enough room for a pivot - the seat would hit the centre pedestal. Been thinking of mounting them to a timber base and putting that on rails (car seat base?) or wheels ... but this is where my non-engineering mind starts to be found wanting! Theres alot of tortion on the feet when you move the seat pan aft/fwd - so any base or mechanism has to be able to withstand those loads.

[Michael Carter]

There are numerous sliding rail mechanisms offered by McMaster-Car out of Chicago.

Some of these can support well over 1,000Lbs. Visit their website and poke around a bit.

http://www.mcmaster.com/

Start at or around page 1038 for guide blocks and rails.

[mauriceb]

Hi Nic,

I have the same dilemna (with 727 seats) and this is how I am planning to do it (hope it works as planned

Maurice

[NicD]

Thanks guys - some interesting ideas/products to think about there,

[W9XE/Project777]

Nic

You might also try http://www.northernflightsim.com/ They have a sideways rail system for the 737 seats. Might be another alternative.