Booster seat cushion
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: -
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Booster seat cushion
I am only 5'2'' (158cm) and I need a cushion
Currently flying a 1979 Cessna 152 and may start flying a Cessna 172 later. The vision over the glareshield is not that bad but could be better with a cushion. I think I will definitely need it on the 172 or other airplanes.
Where can I buy it?
It would be better if I could buy it from a European pilot shop as I am in Italy. Buying it from a US shop would be way too expensive due to custom duties.
Currently flying a 1979 Cessna 152 and may start flying a Cessna 172 later. The vision over the glareshield is not that bad but could be better with a cushion. I think I will definitely need it on the 172 or other airplanes.
Where can I buy it?
It would be better if I could buy it from a European pilot shop as I am in Italy. Buying it from a US shop would be way too expensive due to custom duties.
Captain Bristow of British Airways was a man most intolerant of pilots with duck's disease. In the Ansett ground training section at Mascot there was a lovely man instructing , one Martin Henry, (5' 2'' of him) who flew in DC-2s and DC-3 s with Bristow in the war. Story goes at Lisbon one morning, Martin held up the departure as he had to go back into the terminal for more cushions to sit on. Martin, telling the story, said his pompous captain called to him out the open cockpit window - "Bloody short arsed pilots . . .. . you are flies in the ointment . . . spanners in the works."
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: England
Posts: 551
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
An energy absorbing foam cushion will give you the extra height, while protecting your spine in the event of a hard landing. Here's one source of them:
Severn Valley Sailplanes
Severn Valley Sailplanes
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Midlands
Age: 53
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I used a seat cushion from summer garden furniture. Fitted perfectly in the PA28 seat I was flying at the time. I did try the energy absorbing pads but couldn't get one that seemed to be the right size. The cushion from the garden furniture was very cheap and did the job for me.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: -
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
And what about something like this?
Premium Flight Seat Blue - 4 Seat x 1-1/2 Back - Free Shipping $75 or more!
By the way, I am really interested in the one soay linked. For a Cessna 152, 172, PA28, Diamond's and Seneca as well as P68 what measure is the most indicated?
These are the airplanes I am likely to fly throughout my training all the way up to the CPL depending on the flight schools I will attend after my PPL
EDIT
I may have finally found something proper for me: Noral Single Seat Cushion - Detailed item view - Leading Flight Equipment, Pilot Supplies, Aircraft Equipment, Aviation Headsets
Has anyone ever had any experience with this shop?
Premium Flight Seat Blue - 4 Seat x 1-1/2 Back - Free Shipping $75 or more!
By the way, I am really interested in the one soay linked. For a Cessna 152, 172, PA28, Diamond's and Seneca as well as P68 what measure is the most indicated?
These are the airplanes I am likely to fly throughout my training all the way up to the CPL depending on the flight schools I will attend after my PPL
EDIT
I may have finally found something proper for me: Noral Single Seat Cushion - Detailed item view - Leading Flight Equipment, Pilot Supplies, Aircraft Equipment, Aviation Headsets
Has anyone ever had any experience with this shop?
Last edited by RedBullGaveMeWings; 26th Sep 2013 at 20:20.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: -
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Damn it...
Any other hints?
So what do you think about the cushion posted by soay?
Any other hints?
So what do you think about the cushion posted by soay?
Last edited by RedBullGaveMeWings; 26th Sep 2013 at 22:22.
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: England
Posts: 551
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by RedBullGaveMeWings
So what do you think about the cushion posted by soay?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: -
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A bit more of research and I found something on an Italian shop for gliders pilots. It seems what I am looking for though I will need a cover as it has already been pointed out.
Dynafoam spessore 5,10 cm FIRM [D1510200] : The Aerodyne snc, prodotti al servizio del Volo a Vela
Dynafoam spessore 5,10 cm FIRM [D1510200] : The Aerodyne snc, prodotti al servizio del Volo a Vela
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: The Wild Blue Yonder
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Interesting discussion. I've always found I have to wind the height adjust in a 152 nearly to the bottom, and I'm only 5'10. I'm assuming it doesn't wind high enough for you at 5'2.
I'm interested in the foam seat, not as a height raiser, but to stop the numb bum effect. The 152's I fly have no level of seat base support, and it doesn't take long to have to start clenching to keep the blood circulating!
I'm interested in the foam seat, not as a height raiser, but to stop the numb bum effect. The 152's I fly have no level of seat base support, and it doesn't take long to have to start clenching to keep the blood circulating!
I used a seat cushion from summer garden furniture.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: -
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I can see the horizon, but let's say I am in-line with the cowling so it would be better to see a little bit over the cowling. Unfortunately I can't wind the height adjust upward...
Do try sitting in a 172 - you may decide to start flying them sooner rather than later. I always found the view to be better than the 152 by a noticeable amount and the seat adjustment was better as well.
QUOTE - I am only 5'2'' (158cm) and I need a cushion
Cushions are good . . . . . they can save your life . . . . or at least
buffer you from serious injury. This was proved in Queensland recently when
an instructor and a pupil in a Jabiru suffered engine failure followed by a forced landing into a tight spot. They fetched with in a sudden stop into a barded wire fence. The cushions they had handy to protect them from facial impact worked.
parachutes can be good too
never forget the Readers digest story of the pilot of a sky diving C208 in Victoria in the mid 90s who wore his slim pack his fiance had given him for his birthday, for the first time
and he needed it because the last jumpers chute deployed too soon and got hooked up in the tailplane. Pilot jumped and lived. Other bloke not so lucky.
Cushions are good . . . . . they can save your life . . . . or at least
buffer you from serious injury. This was proved in Queensland recently when
an instructor and a pupil in a Jabiru suffered engine failure followed by a forced landing into a tight spot. They fetched with in a sudden stop into a barded wire fence. The cushions they had handy to protect them from facial impact worked.
parachutes can be good too
never forget the Readers digest story of the pilot of a sky diving C208 in Victoria in the mid 90s who wore his slim pack his fiance had given him for his birthday, for the first time
and he needed it because the last jumpers chute deployed too soon and got hooked up in the tailplane. Pilot jumped and lived. Other bloke not so lucky.
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Plumpton Green
Age: 79
Posts: 1,035
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So after the cushion has protected you from spinal injury, you remove it from your seat and bury your face in it? 
https://www.google.co.uk/?gws_rd=cr&...forced+landing
https://www.google.co.uk/?gws_rd=cr&...forced+landing
Last edited by patowalker; 28th Sep 2013 at 11:50.
it won't increase it as much as not being able to see over the cowling or reach the pedals would !
The story behind the use of Dynafoam is quite interesting - the name to google is Tony Segal. He was a retired doctor and glider pilot who has done a lot to make gliding safer. There's also the story of spinal injuries caused by early ejector seats. Eventually it was realised that people who used cushions were getting severe spinal injuries whereas those who didn't, didn't.
