Disclaimer: I am an advertiser on this site, but a customer and member of this forum suggested we share our advice to him for the following question:
What combination of product would you recommend for an RV aircraft that is kept mainly in Florida (high heat) flown by multiple pilots?
Our pilots range from 175 to 225 lbs. I have lower back problems that need to be addressed, but the [liquid foam-in-place] pour method would not be useful because a few different pilots will be flying this aircraft. That said, we could have a third removable set constructed just for me, but that would be expensive.
Our response:
The best cushion that would work for multiple pilots and still help your back is our Contour Laminar?. It has a built-in generic buttocks shape that centers the body on the cushion, supports the hips, and takes stress off the lower back. The contour tapers upward toward the front of the cushion, elevating the legs slightly to prevent forward sliding. The contour also adds a bit more fixed stability than a flat cushion, which could be an advantage flying through turbulence or in a rough landing.
With a weight range is 175-225 pounds, 1 cushion could potentially meet all your needs. I suggest a 1" Pudgee? (which will compress to about 1/4" under sitting pressure) on top of a Medium SunMate? FRG or Medium-firm SunMate? FRG (given the FL heat). The thickness of the SunMate layer will depend on the pilot's height and head space in the aircraft. If possible, a 3" or 3.5" total cushion thickness should be comfortable for everyone, will help reduce or eliminate the vibrations experienced during flight, and will effectively absorb impact energy on landing.
A Medium SunMate will be comfortable for the 175 lb., but may feel slightly soft for a heavier pilot. The Medium-firm could feel slightly firm to the 175 lb pilot. SunMate? FRG passes the FAA 12 Sec. Vert FAR 25.853(a) burn test.
Keep in mind, when you sit on regular flat SunMate? cushion, it takes about 5-10 minutes (depending on the temperature of the environment it?s been in) for the foam to warm, soften and contour to the body. A Contour Laminar?, although it is also temperature-sensitive, has the fixed contour already built-in, so it starts supporting faster with more immediate contact area than the flat cushion.
What combination of product would you recommend for an RV aircraft that is kept mainly in Florida (high heat) flown by multiple pilots?
Our pilots range from 175 to 225 lbs. I have lower back problems that need to be addressed, but the [liquid foam-in-place] pour method would not be useful because a few different pilots will be flying this aircraft. That said, we could have a third removable set constructed just for me, but that would be expensive.
Our response:
The best cushion that would work for multiple pilots and still help your back is our Contour Laminar?. It has a built-in generic buttocks shape that centers the body on the cushion, supports the hips, and takes stress off the lower back. The contour tapers upward toward the front of the cushion, elevating the legs slightly to prevent forward sliding. The contour also adds a bit more fixed stability than a flat cushion, which could be an advantage flying through turbulence or in a rough landing.
With a weight range is 175-225 pounds, 1 cushion could potentially meet all your needs. I suggest a 1" Pudgee? (which will compress to about 1/4" under sitting pressure) on top of a Medium SunMate? FRG or Medium-firm SunMate? FRG (given the FL heat). The thickness of the SunMate layer will depend on the pilot's height and head space in the aircraft. If possible, a 3" or 3.5" total cushion thickness should be comfortable for everyone, will help reduce or eliminate the vibrations experienced during flight, and will effectively absorb impact energy on landing.
A Medium SunMate will be comfortable for the 175 lb., but may feel slightly soft for a heavier pilot. The Medium-firm could feel slightly firm to the 175 lb pilot. SunMate? FRG passes the FAA 12 Sec. Vert FAR 25.853(a) burn test.
Keep in mind, when you sit on regular flat SunMate? cushion, it takes about 5-10 minutes (depending on the temperature of the environment it?s been in) for the foam to warm, soften and contour to the body. A Contour Laminar?, although it is also temperature-sensitive, has the fixed contour already built-in, so it starts supporting faster with more immediate contact area than the flat cushion.
