Removing the seats

[Phil]

Has anyone devised a modification that will allow the seats to be installed and removed without having to unbolt the T-handle every time?

Just curious.
Phil

[Rick S.]

No, but I did put nutplates in so it makes easier to remove the handles. Also removing about an inch or so off the back of the rail lip allows you to remove the seat without removing the flap torq rod cover.

[rleffler]

Originally Posted by Phil

Has anyone devised a modification that will allow the seats to be installed and removed without having to unbolt the T-handle every time?

I haven't heard that you had to unbolt the t-handle before. So I'm in for a surprize when I install my seats after the holidays?

I am planning to install a t-handle mod designed by Greg, but it's waiting for my seats to get back from Geoff at the moment. This solves the problem that Pierre acurately described in another thread about having fat fingers.

[N427EF]

Phil,
Spare yourself the trouble of installing nutplates.
I did install them and after having extreme difficulty getting a bolt started
into a nut plate I removed them again.
Once all your sidepanels are in you only have about an inch and a half in a very awkward place to get that bolt started and it is much easier if you can stick the bolt through and start the nut on the inside of the seat.
Now, if you could install nut plates on the outside that would make things easier. Having the extended handle helps as this allows you to partially insert the bolts and lower the assembly into place then push all the bolts in and
thread the nuts on on the inside.

[Phil]

Yeah Bob.

If you look at your rails (the side that the T-handle travels on) you will see there are forward and aft safety stops to keep the seat from sliding off the front or rear of the rail.

The frame of the T-Handle hits those stops. So you have to remove the T-handle, install the seat, then re-install the T-handle when it's between the stops. It's not that big of a deal, just a little annoying.

Rick S...... LONG TIME NO HEAR!!

I hadn't heard of interference with the flap rod covers. That's good to know.

[Mike S]

Originally Posted by Phil

I hadn't heard of interference with the flap rod covers. That's good to know.

It is in the archives, bout a year and a half ago, maybe a bit longer.

Good thread, includes good photos.

[N15JB]

I have the T handle extension that Bob pictured and really like them, but it is still necessary to remove the T handle plate to remove the seat. I tapped threads in the plate so that I could eliminate the nuts. That way the bolts go in from inside the seat frame. As Pierre would say, easy peasy.

Jim Berry
RV-10
Off to GLO in 10 days for a slick paint job, finally

[TSwezey]

It gets pretty easy to do after you have done it twenty times or so.

[Wayne Gillispie]

No need to install seat, t-handle or flap tube cover until ready for first flight. I just sat on cushions for avionics setup. I will be removing them once a year. The std t-handle is fine unless you have an interior or 1"> fingers.

[N427EF]

Jim's idea makes the most sense if you want easy removal and installation.
The idea crossed my mind but then I started to over think the whole
installation and settled for the factory suggested method.