M20K models - Rear Seat Differences

[Marc_B]

Just wondering if any of you knew the history of the rear seat hinge change from the 252 to the Encore rear seat.  Seems that with the 252 the Seat Cover Panel was hard mounted but actually covered the entire seat well.  On my Encore the seat cover panel hinge has three "slots" that you can slide the hinge mechanism into (not sure why you'd need 3 or if this assists reclining?), but the Seat Cover Panel does NOT cover the seat well and leaves about 3" of a slot exposed.  Long fore slot used for rear seat back, shorter most aft slot used to keep seat panel flush when seat removed...But why 3 slots and why not completely covered seat well?  Am I missing something? 

The weights I got for the seats removed were: 18.6 lbs total, average of 9.3 lbs/seat.  This did not include the Seat Cover Panels left in the aircraft.  (3.46 lbs bottom A, 3.52 lbs bottom B, 5.79 lbs seat back A, 5.83 lbs seat back

Marc.

[Will.iam]

Hum I didn’t realize there were two different seat styles. I have a 252 so i assume i have the former but will check and see next time I’m at the aircraft. 

[PT20J]

Noticed this a while back when trying to describe the fold down procedure. The seat backs without the multiple positions just fold down. The backs with multiple positions have to be removed and repositioned from the front tubes into the rear tubes to fold down flat. I think that this was likely done to position the seat backs farther aft in the upright position and give about 3 inches more back seat room. I believe that the center tube is just a spacer and not meant to be used to attach the back. You can, of course, leave the backs mounted to the rear tube and then it’s just like the single position back. Not sure about the gap.

Skip

 

[carusoam]

I’m guessing the POH has a Paragraph to cover the operation….  That can be interpreted a few different ways…

 

One thing for sure…. Mooney probably didn’t change the seats between the 252 and the Encore… or Bravo… or Acclaim…

 

They mostly designed things once… and didn’t make changes until they had to….

PP thoughts only, not a mechanic…

Best regards,

-a-