Cirrus Seating

[GaryP1007]

Took my first ride in a SR-22 yesterday and was very impressed.  The comfort of the seats is like nothing I have experienced in GA.  Got me thinking..........does anyone offer an aftermarket seat for Mooney, Piper, Cessna etc. that competes with the comfort factor?

[carusoam]

Gary,

There have been a few MS folks that have updated their interiors. The seats get new foam and leather.

One had style cues matching a Ferrari.

There are some rules to follow regarding flammability testing. Low hurdles...

The best part is, some really nice work can be accomplished by local automotive people...

If your seats are broken, there are examples of how the sheet metal and hardware can be fixed.

Look to see how to add headrests from a junkyard and get it leather covered to match...

Use the search function at the top of your screen to find various ideas.

How did I do? Am I close?

Best regards,

-a-

[Jeff_S]

Realize also that the Cirrus seats were designed for a very specific g-load shock absorption based on the airplane landing as a result of a parachute pull, so that has something to do with their design and their comfort. 

[BobAustin]

I had an SR-22TN and sold it to go back to my M20J Missile

 

...sent Mooney front seats to Oregon Aero to have them redone...big improvement.  Cost was about $800 3 years ago.

[KSMooniac]

As soon as I get my plane back in the air I'm going to rebuild my salvage seats into something very custom and comfortable.  I plan to shamelessly copy the design from a Bentley and have a local shop build them to my specs with multiple densities of memory foam.  I'm waffling between using leather, ultraleather, and alcantara/ultra suede materials.  I'm leaning towards perforated alcantara in the middle portion of the seats with leather for the bolsters and edges.  I've already acquired some BMW head rests to add to the seats too, and will get them covered to match.  I'm also dreaming of adding inflatable lumbar for the front seats, and maybe even seat heaters if I have enough electrical capacity to run them.  I might just power them with a rechargeable battery if needed.    

 

We're pretty much only limited by our imaginations and budgets as the modern materials will easily meet the fire/smoke/tox requirements of modern planes.  Just think about what you want and work with a local hot rod shop and you'll be happy.

[peevee]

I had an SR-22TN and sold it to go back to my M20J Missile

 

...sent Mooney front seats to Oregon Aero to have them redone...big improvement.  Cost was about $800 3 years ago.

Wow, that's very reasonable. Our front foam is shot and the leather cracking. I should do the same.

[M016576]

Oregon Aero- their memory foam is pretty sweet. Haven't had it in a mooney, but did have it in a PC-12 I used to fly- top notch stuff

[MB65E]

I was quoted 1600/seat for the front seats of the M20 at Oregon aero this year! Times have changed I guess. They don't have a kit for the M20s unlike the RV series. Currently at a hot rod shop now. Lol.

[KSMooniac]

Did that $1600 include new foam + leather, or just foam?

[Bennett]

As soon as I get my plane back in the air I'm going to rebuild my salvage seats into something very custom and comfortable.  I plan to shamelessly copy the design from a Bentley and have a local shop build them to my specs with multiple densities of memory foam.  I'm waffling between using leather, ultraleather, and alcantara/ultra suede materials.  I'm leaning towards perforated alcantara in the middle portion of the seats with leather for the bolsters and edges.  I've already acquired some BMW head rests to add to the seats too, and will get them covered to match.  I'm also dreaming of adding inflatable lumbar for the front seats, and maybe even seat heaters if I have enough electrical capacity to run them.  I might just power them with a rechargeable battery if needed.  

 

We're pretty much only limited by our imaginations and budgets as the modern materials will easily meet the fire/smoke/tox requirements of modern planes.  Just think about what you want and work with a local hot rod shop and you'll be happy.

I did something along those lines. I drove my Mercedes SL500 up to Tim's Aircraft Design at Pine Mountain Lake airport where he has a couple of hangars devoted to high end aviation upholstery. This, so he could make up my J's seats as duplicates for the SL's seats, including the type of stitching, colors, perforations, and shaping. We decided to make a simplier version of the headrests as the Mercedes' headrests are heavy and too complex, Tim used conformal foam is three densities for the seats, and fitted the seats to my body frame. Very comfortable, and pleasing to the eye.  I had conformal foam (mutiple densities) done on my prior Mooney. I had long range tanks, and even after 7 hour flights, I was still comfortable. One observation. Conformal foam can be quite hard when cold, but body temperature will soften the foam during flight (at least in temperate California).

[KSMooniac]

Full disclosure... seeing Bennett's gorgeous plane years ago is my inspiration for going down the custom road!  Those that haven't should check out his gallery.

[MB65E]

Scott, their foam and leather.

Local shop guy wanted 500/ hide. So on to my next option...

So it looks like I'll be using my wife's machine. I'm planning on adding some foam to the top of the stock seat back to kick it forward a bit. I always feel like I'm falling back in the seat.

-Matt

[KSMooniac]

$500 per raw hide?  Is that an aircraft shop or an auto shop?  Seems pretty high.  I bought a bunch of surplus leather hides a couple years ago and have been haphazardly trying to sell them.  I've got 4 grey, and a bunch of tan/neutral and a bunch of olive green.  The olive green I'm sure won't be very popular, but it is a very, very nice color.  I might end up using some for home furniture in the future because I really like it.

[jbs007]

Scott, you got pictures of that olive green hide?  and how much?  I have a willow green XKE. The seats are good for now but it might be handy to have that hide on hand if it's the right color.

[M016576]

I was quoted 1600/seat for the front seats of the M20 at Oregon aero this year! Times have changed I guess. They don't have a kit for the M20s unlike the RV series. Currently at a hot rod shop now. Lol.

That price sounds much more like Oregon Aero than the earlier (and much cheaper) quote- they have no shortage of work with high dollar customers. Hard to find a "good deal"... Or even just reasonable... These days in GA.

[peevee]

That price sounds much more like Oregon Aero than the earlier (and much cheaper) quote- they have no shortage of work with high dollar customers. Hard to find a "good deal"... Or even just reasonable... These days in GA.

that's a bummer. Knew it sounded too good to be true.

[Hank]

Scott, their foam and leather.

Local shop guy wanted 500/ hide. So on to my next option...

So it looks like I'll be using my wife's machine. I'm planning on adding some foam to the top of the stock seat back to kick it forward a bit. I always feel like I'm falling back in the seat.

-Matt

A local shop here quoted ~$500/seat for new foam and leather in my car. Can't imagine Mooney seats being any less.

[flyboy0681]

I'd be happy just finding an old cruddy seat that's adjustable.

[ryoder]

The Airtex seats include high density foam with good lumber and lateral support. Huge improvement over stock and they have a PMA.