Originally Posted by
MechEngr
The problem with 2 buttons is that if the seat has to move -now- and one button fails then the pilot could be very restricted in making a rapid exit or prevented from getting into the seat and getting the seat arranged. Or maybe one switch fails in the "On" position and no one notices and then this same event happens when the second switch also fails.
Sorry, but the 747 seat (and for that matter the 787 and probably any other aircraft as wel) also has manual adjustment. And to get in and out (especially when you are in a hurry) most pilots won’t bother with the electrical but use the manual levers instead. It’s much faster and convenient.
Electrical is used mostly for fine tuning and while you’re actually flying.
I believe the 2 buttons was an excellent idea, like everything else used to be at Boeing
(but more expensive then a single button).