150 Seat STC

[mdtrn]

how much should I anticipate on spending to update to 150 seats? how tough is the project? are parts readily available?

[klyde sessna]

Check the Pilot Lounge section of the Forums for a good discussion on this issue. Basically, buy the David Lowe STC; $200.00. Buy the seats; $?. Buy the hardware; about $700.00. Manufacture and install the parts and hardware; depends on who does it. Pay a mechanic to sign it off; $?.

[klyde sessna]

Before the STC, many folks had their earlier installations field approved by 337 forms. Understanding now is that since the STC issuance last year, that is virtually impossible. Unless you're in Alaska.

[6643]

Before the STC, many folks had their earlier installations field approved by 337 forms.

And, many did not. There were several planes listed here that were grounded and eventually had to revert back to the original configuration. $200 is cheap insurance against that problem.

[mdtrn]

Other discussions on this forum state the parts to convert cost 1800$ to $2500. Anyone have any actual experience with this? Every one says Lowe is the place to go for this, but there doesn't seem to be a website for the company, or any factual information on the conversion. One thread said the PO box listed on the FAA STC paperwork is not actually the place to go to contact lowe.

I'm pretty surprised at the lack of information regarding to a modification that seems to be highly sought after online.
Any one have any advice on where to get information on what's involved?

[a64pilot]

I’m going to throw out the counter argument, what do you get from this STC?
The stock seats weigh less, are adjustable and don’t have an AD associated with them.
Many less experienced pilots want to sit way up high with their head almost touching the ceiling, I guess maybe it’s an SUV thing?
But you really don’t want to sit that way, if you progress further to IFR aircraft you’ll find that sitting lower so you can see the panel better is preferable, and Lord forbid but if you ever go over, it’s best to have clearance between your head and the roof, fewer spinal injuries that way.

So you spend thousands of dollars on 150 parts, like the exhaust system, another bunch of money, and another AD, I just don’t understand.

[mdtrn]

Useability. I’m 6’3” and I’d like to instruct in the plane. If I put a 140 seat back where I need it 90% of my customers won’t be able to reach. If I slide the seat where they need it, we can’t turn because the yoke hits my knees. Independently adjustable seats are the only option for me.

[mdtrn]

Also, according to Lowe, stock seats have 5” of adjustable range, his STC seats have 10” of range.

[2066]

DAVID LOWE MODIFIED 150 BIRDDOG.jpg (59.68 KiB) Viewed 4404 times

...maybe best to find (...build/convert?) a David Lowe 150 taildragger? The best of both...a great trainer with 150 seats already installed (A "$2,000 bonus" right off the top of the acquisition cost ). Mac

[mdtrn]

If the right 150 came along I’d certainly consider it.