Seat
Around 1995, I met Jim Clement at Sun'n Fun. Jim had one of his spiffy Tailwinds there and I was very impressed. Jim had a series of pictures showing the building of his planes and he was selling the picctures to Tailwind builders at cost. I bought a set and they proved to be invaluable throughout the building of my Tailwind.
This picture shows the making of my seat and it is built much as Jim was building back then. When it was finished and in the plane, it turned out to be the most comfortable of any seat that I had sat in, in a plane. I have done a four hour and numerous three hour trips and never seem to get tired sitting in it.
It will slide about 4 inches for adjustment and that will fit a lot of different size people.
This picture shows the making of my seat and it is built much as Jim was building back then. When it was finished and in the plane, it turned out to be the most comfortable of any seat that I had sat in, in a plane. I have done a four hour and numerous three hour trips and never seem to get tired sitting in it.
It will slide about 4 inches for adjustment and that will fit a lot of different size people.
A good view of the framework of the seats and how they fit into the airframe. The crossbar behind the seats is of no concern because the seats are mostly moved foreward a bit because of the longer cabin.
This is when I had the center stick in place and the flap handle between the seats. The flap handle moved three times after this and I also put in dual sticks.
This is when I had the center stick in place and the flap handle between the seats. The flap handle moved three times after this and I also put in dual sticks.
I met a Mexican family who did fabulous leather work. They had a hangar at Corona airport in Southern California and they were redoing the interiors of some big twins. I talked to the dad and he said he would sell me the material to do my seats and would also show me how. On Saturday I took Judy out to Corona; we were thinking that she could sew them up on her handy Singer. Judy took one look at the quality of work and said, "Have them do it." They wipped them off on Saturday morning and what a job!
First they glued that black mesh on nice and tight; it has a little give when you sit on it but mostly it is tight.
First they glued that black mesh on nice and tight; it has a little give when you sit on it but mostly it is tight.
This shows the different densities of foam and how it was shaped. Looks easy.
Finished seat in place and also showing the dual sticks.
Another view of a seat in place and the SS dual sticks. Note the instrument panel frame which is about
3 1/2 inches in front of the door post. The angle built into the seat is perfect for comfort.
3 1/2 inches in front of the door post. The angle built into the seat is perfect for comfort.
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The Building of my Tailwind Continued - The Initial Flying - Journey Home
Metal Wing? - Wood Wing?
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