Folding rear seat for easy baggage access

[Sierra Skydog]

I experimented with paper hinge patterns and came up with this setup. Bearhawk scratch-builder Jerry Rogers then welded it up for me. I think it works out pretty good! It did add one pound but I think the convenience is worth it

 

[David Swartzendruber]

I think you forgot to include the picture but I am anxious to see it. I am also planning to do something to make it easier to get into the baggage area but haven't finalized my plan yet.

 

[Sierra Skydog]

Pics came thru on my end but I will try again

 

[Sierra Skydog]

[No message]

 

[interstate al]

I hinged my back seat too. Rather than modifying the existing frame, I opted to start from scratch. I'll try and post a few pics of my frame before unholstering was completed. And there are some pics in this forum that I posted in may of 21. It's made do the bottom can hinge up or the back hinges forward.
I got the idea from John Middletons LSA.

 

[interstate al]

Here are a few of the finished seats

 

[Sierra Skydog]

Those are nice! I saw your post a while back and think that’s when I started thinking about doing it too.

 

[David Swartzendruber]

I finished my version of a folding rear seat in my LSA so thought I would post it here.

When the rear seat was one piece, there were three attach points on each side consisting of a ¼” bolt that was welded into the seat frame and slipped into a corresponding bracket slot on the fuselage. My modification replaced the one ¼” bolt on each side with a piece of tubing, 5/16” OD, 3/16” ID. This was the attach point just above the rear bottom corner of the seat on each side. The slot in the corresponding fuselage bracket had to be opened up a little to accept the 5/16” tubing. An AN3 bolt is installed in the tubing and is long enough to extend to the inboard side enough to provide a hinge point for the seat back. I cut the seat apart just above this lower rear attach point. The seat back folds forward using those new AN3 bolts as the hinge point. Alternatively, while the seat back is still in its upright position, the seat can be lifted at the front to access the area under the seat, hinging at the 5/16” tubing where it sits in the slot. Because both the back and the seat hinge on the same axis, no binding occurs when the seat is lifted. To remove the seat, the back is folded down then the seat is lifted at the front which then allows the seat assy to slide forward out of the remaining attach point and the seat becomes free. Being in a folded condition then makes it easier to maneuver out of the cabin.