Tipsy Nipper

Anyone know where I can get a seat cushion made or any templates etc, my old one (an ejector seat cushion!) has seen better days.

Cheers

Stuart

Hi Stuart,
I have a local car upholsterer that did mine, I could get him to make one based upon mine. It would be worth getting the correct seat foam they use in gliders for impact protection, it is supposed to be very comfortable also. I think the LAA did an article on it recently in the mag'. My seat back is slightly different to the normal ones as I have the reclined seat.
Good luck.
Neil

I'd certainly be interested in some decent seat cushions also if there was enough interest to make it worth your chaps while Neil?

I remember reading that article in the LAA mag about Dynafoam but I cant for the life of me find the magazine with the details and I've not come up with much on the net either.

Im also making do with an old Martin Baker sheepskin cover and it gets pretty uncomfortable after an hour or so....!

Hi Stuart,.........Ooops, Des(!)

It was in the Dec' issue with the Silence Twister on the cover.....page 30:

http://www.lightaircraftassociation.co. ... ntents.pdf

Neil

Hi Neil

Thanks for the photo, I've given it with some sketches to a local car upholsterer for a quote and thanks for the reminder about the foam article, I've got some samples of 'Confor' foam on the way. Just a couple or three questions, how thick is your cushion, how are the cushions attached (velcro?) can you remove the foam core and last but not least if you don't mind me asking what sort of price did you pay ??
Incidentally I've not had much luck in a response from those nice Goodwood people..........but I will try again

Cheers for now

Stuart

Hi Stuart,

Without going to the plane to check I think the foam is 1.5-2" thick. The thickness of the cushion could be modified by how much head/leg room you need.

The back cushion uses the "tongue" of the top of the back plywood to engage in a "pocket" created in the back of the top of the cushion, and then at the bottom a couple of button press studs. The bottom cushion is much the same design, but using both the forward "tongues" of the plywood on either side of the joystick, and held in place at the back by a couple of straps that go around the bottom of the plywood seat at 45deg to hold them down/back. (They are a sod to do up, so velcro would probably do well instead, a large patch of it makes a very good anchor, that applies to both the upright and flat cushion)

I am unable to remove the foam from the cushion.

I did buy enough of the material to upholster the side panels of the Nipper, but thought better of it due to weight consideration, so I have enough material if you want a very bright seat cushion!

I honestly can't remember how much I paid the machinist, sorry.

ATB

Neil

Chaps, FYI recieved the following regarding the costs for the Confor foam:-

"As you have read tests recently published, showed that a combination of 1"
thick C47 and ½” thick C45 CONFOR Foams, is the most effective seat cushion
with respect to energy absorption and comfort for a glider / light aircraft
seat.

It is possible to get virtually any seat cushion made, however we can only
supply you with the material itself we are not an aircraft seat
upholsterer. On saying that we are able to offer you a number of
alternatives and all our material is cut to order.

I am delighted to be able to offer seat squabs to you in the following
sizes, which are available directly from us, they are made up of a CONFOR
Foam composite; a ½” layer of blue CONFOR Foam (CF-45050) bonded onto a 1”
layer of green CONFOR foam (CF-47100), they are offered in two standard
sizes:
o Item number 16148 - 18” x 18” @ GBP £76.32 inc VAT / seat plus
delivery
o Item number 16147 – 18” x 16” @ GBP £64.57inc VAT / seat plus
delivery
We recommend that the seat squab is fitted into a seat cover and secured to
the seat by some form of fastening, something as simple as velcro can be
very effective.

Alternatively we are able to produce bespoke square and rectangle seat
sizes, prices on request and as full CONFOR Foam sheets. The full sheets
are sized 80” x 36”, and are cut to order in thicknesses from 3mm to 12”.
Item number 15196, ½” layer of blue CONFOR Foam @ GBP £110 / sheet + VAT
& delivery
Item number 15206, 1” layer of green CONFOR foam @ GBP £200 / sheet +
VAT & delivery
Delivery for 2 sheets (1 x 1/2" and 1 x 1" ) would be £14.44 + VAT

Prices for alternative thicknesses are available on request. To bond the
sheets together you can use any standard water or solvent based adhesive,
but we always recommend that you test the solvent on the foam to ensure
that there is no adverse reaction. For an additional charge we can bond
full sheets together for you, again prices on request.

The foam can be cut relatively easily with a very sharp slim knife or a
straight edged electric carving knife. A cooler environment is preferable
but not freezing as in extreme conditions the foam will go solid - but will
return to normal relatively quickly.

If our standard seat cushion is of a suitable size you would be able to use
our Order Form, please see attached. For all other options I would need to
organize a pro-forma invoice and will need the following:
invoice address
delivery address
contact tel number

All depending on the size and complexity of the order our general lead time
is 5-7 working days from receipt of payment (goods and transport) where
upon your goods would be cut and dispatched earlier where possible.The
order form can be returned to us FAO of Caroline Martin either by post, to
the address below, email, caroline.martin@trelleborg.com or fax, 01423
796629 – Mon-Fri 10am – 3.00pm, where upon we will process your order. Once
payment has been processed your goods will be go into production."

Hope thats of use.

Regards

Des

Thanks Des, useful if I decide to make a new pair.