Moving front seat backward?

[Matthew Strickland]

So I haven't purchased my Champ yet, but I'm sold on them....with one caveat....I HAVE to be able to do something to move the front seat further back. Probably like 4-6 inches back. I don't need rear controls, this will be a solo airplane. I plan on removing the rear stick to accommodate moving the front seat. Does anyone have experience with doing this? Approved STC's/ Field Approvals for this type of modification? I am 6'3" and felt like a contortionist getting in and out of the Champs I have looked at. I would not buy a Champ if was always going to be difficult getting in and out. Please advise. Thank you....

[alan miller]

Don’t know if you can do that legally with a certified Airplane, but you might be able to find one of the adjustable seats and put that in there which might give you a couple more inches. 

On the other hand, if it’s a  7AC Champ, you can solo from the rear seat and as long as you get some skinny shoes, it would probably work.

I’m 6’3 and 63 years old, and don’t bend like I used to and I can fly from the front seat although it’s a little tight but it’s much easier to get in and out of the backseat.

Good luck,

alan 

On Fri, May 29, 2026 at 19:26 Matthew Strickland <mat...@bluemountainfinancial.com> wrote:

So I haven't purchased my Champ yet, but I'm sold on them....with one caveat....I HAVE to be able to do something to move the front seat further back. Probably like 4-6 inches back. I don't need rear controls, this will be a solo airplane. I plan on removing the rear stick to accommodate moving the front seat. Does anyone have experience with doing this? Approved STC's/ Field Approvals for this type of modification? I am 6'3" and felt like a contortionist getting in and out of the Champs I have looked at. I would not buy a Champ if was always going to be difficult getting in and out. Please advise. Thank you....

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[Mark Peterson]

First discussion is with you IA or FSDO.  That will point you a certain direction.  Also a call to ACA would enlighten too.

Get Outlook for iOS

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From: aer...@westmont.edu <aer...@westmont.edu> on behalf of alan miller <wam...@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, May 29, 2026 5:01:13 PM
To: aer...@westmont.edu <aer...@westmont.edu>
Cc: fearless Aeronca Aviators <f-...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [f-AA] [f-AA2] Moving front seat backward?

 

[Robert McComiskie]

Take a look at the 337s for John Probst's 7AC located here:  

https://johnpropst.yolasite.com/

Under "Field Approvals and 337's" read the Form 337 Field Approval for "Adj. Seat Rail".

That 337 is the work of Bill Pancake, acknowledged expert in all things Aeronca. 

He is very accommodating and would likely spend  some time on the phone advising you what to do.

Bob.

[ryanae...@gmail.com]

I agree…Bill Pancake is the Subject Matter Expert here. That said, it will need FAA approval. Moving a fixed seat back 4 inches would likely require relocating the seat belt anchors (welding). Call Bill👍🏻

Gregg Horrell

Sent from my iPhone

On May 29, 2026, at 19:19, Robert McComiskie <robertmc...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Robert McComiskie]

The 337 says that the seatbelts remain attached to the existing airframe lugs. No welding is required. The seat bolts to the fabricated bracket. The bracket attaches to the original airframe lugs. I don't know what it takes to get a field approval these days. Using Bill Pancake's 337 as an example should make it easier.

Bob.

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