Thorp Air Command - T18.net

Just was thinking of seats, I don't see any topics of this subject. I feel it is important to have a comfortable and durable seat, I like leather but what else is out there that can be stepped on and hold up to the abuse. I am hoping to try my hand at making the complete seats in my project, would like to know what kind of foams and what not are recommended, I saw a booth at sun n fun that had the cushions, I was a little sticker shocked! If I decide to let someone else do them, who should be recommended?

Use the Temper-foam. It will last the life of the plane. Besides, Jim Fix (the guy at S'n F) is a T-18 guy. You don't need much foam in the back of the seat, but a good bottom is a must. The seats must breath, especially here in Florida. Leather is hot. Check out Gulf Fabrics in Tampa for some great material for interiors. They cater to the boat trade.

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Bob Highley
N711SH
SN 835
KLAL

Don't go cheap on the seats. You are going to be spending a lot of time in them and you might as well be comfortable ! I don't recommend leather or vinyl. They can get incredibly hot. I had a local upholster do my seats and used HIGH density foam and a commercial grade cloth. Got hand towles at Wal Mart that match the cloth color and I use them on the seat cushions when I step in and out.

RB

I agree on comfort and making sure the padding is thick in the seat, cloth is best to use in the heat? Im gonna be looking at Gulf Fabrics after I post this. thanks a bunch for the tips!

Becky Orndorff also makes very nice seats and fabrics that last for any application. Just google her name and their website will come up. I also highly recommend a layer of the dense (blue) NASA foam (1" thick) on top of the bottom cushion. Also really helps after several hours in the saddle.

Rob "Smokey" Ray

Here are Becky Orndorff seats in an RV6A...



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