[STEVE]

STEVE on January 6, 2015 at 12:29 pm #17571

Here’s what I’m planning to do in my Comanche. The rear seat in a Comanche is a huge and heavy barrier that divides the fuselage interior in half. This severely restricts the utility of the airplane especially since I only use my airplane as a two place. All that back seat area is wasted space. After kicking this idea around for a while I purchased a Comanche rear seat bottom frame from a salvage yard and had it cleaned up and powder coated. I have covered the frame with 0.032 ” thick aircraft aluminum sheet metal to create a tough cover over the space the original seat bottom occupied.
When I want to remove the back seat and install my new back seat area cover all that’s required is removal of the back seat before sliding the cover into the same attachment hardware that the original seat used. I will tie down cargo using the original seat belts.
In the Comanche the forward end of the back seat frame rests on the top of the forward wing spar and a fabric cover that’s attached to the forward end of the seat frame drops down so that the bottom end covers the spar. The bottom edge of the fabric cover is held is position by 5 snaps.
Since the cabin floor stops at the forward spar, the space between the back end of the front seats and the front of the forward spar is ideal for storing my flight bag, and a small cooler.
I’ve checked the regulations and conferred with other techs and we all say as long as the wt and balance reflects what’s in the airplane during each flight, this change is a minor alteration requiring only a log book entry.
The new back seat cover isn’t quite finished yet. When I have it done I’ll post photos.

[Jen D]

Jen D on August 14, 2014 at 5:43 pm #17469

Steve Ells has been on a brief vacation, we expect him back and commenting soon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous on August 14, 2014 at 5:40 pm #17468

Greetings,

Regarding the removal of rear seats and putting some kind of barrier up between the front seats and what’s behind them: Of course you can remove the rear seats at will and as you noted make sure that you redo your weight and balance. Now for the barrier: Anything installed on a temporary basis (no screws, bolts, etc) I’m pretty sure doesn’t require any FAA action. Steve Ells would know better and he’s on the forums from time to time. Hopefully he’ll chime in here. Regarding what to put up; As you stated in your email I also think a net wouldn’t do it for you. However, a small dog door that you might use at home might work. Or go wander around Menards or Home Depot and see what you can invent. You should be able to use velcro to temporarily attach a barrier to your carpet and side walls.

Let us know how you make out with this project. We’re all watching as it’s something we’ve all needed to do from time to time.

Best,

Scott Sherer
N344TB

[Jen D]

Jen D on August 10, 2014 at 9:57 am #17464

I also ran an STC search and couldn’t come up with anything for the PA-28 series for back seat removal.

[Jen D]

Jen D on August 10, 2014 at 9:50 am #17463

Here’s the response from Steve Ells:

As far as I know there is no blanket STC for this. Joe might get his FSDO to approve something but he would most likely need to present a data pack to the FSDO with the details of the proposed change. The smoothest way to push a mod like this through a FSDO is to hire a Designated Engineering Representative (DER) to prepare the package. A DER is an accredited engineer (structures, powerplants, etc.) that has applied for and gotten the required recognition by the FAA.
Needless to say, this is a time consuming task, and can be expensive.

[Jen D]

Jen D on August 9, 2014 at 11:34 am #17460

Good question Joe. Let me see what I can find out – or maybe one of our forum members has done this and will respond.

Jen

[JOSEPH E O’BOYLE]

JOSEPH E O’BOYLE on August 3, 2014 at 8:25 am #17456

Does anyone have any ideas/STCs on the removal of the rear passenger seats and installation of a barrier between the rear passenger area and the luugage area. I want to keep certain items close by during flights and keep the load from shifting also. A cargo net might work but would be cumbersome to fiddle with during flight if I wanted something out of the cooler or an item out of my flight gear. I understand that their removal will require a recalculation of the weight and balance. I am planning a flight to the Bahamas and could use the extra weight/space to ferry items to friends living there.