Newbie question

[Chupacabra]

Hello all,

Well, here's my first post! Hopefully, these questions aren't unbearably stupid! :-) I'm considering purchasing a Piper Cherokee 160 or 180. From what I can tell, there is no way to access the baggage compartment from the cabin. I haul a lot of very large (long, not heavy) gear like surfboards and drum equipment, so I have to have a way to fit this stuff in the airplane. Is it possible to have the aft wall removed and install folding seats to accomodate longer baggage? I know such a modification would require recertification, and I'm sure it won't be cheap. I've also looked at Cessnas, specifically the 182. The baggage compartment is almost perfect, except for the fact that the back seats won't fold. Is it possible to remove the seats without disrupting the weight and balance? Does anyone make folding retrofit seats? Thanks!

[Denny of Oakland]

For the PA28-160 there is a STC Number: SA148SW, Replacement of right front seat with stretcher. This applies to the following aircraft:

Make -- Model (TC): Piper Aircraft Corp. -- PA-23 (1A10), Piper Aircraft Corp. -- PA-23-250 (1A10), Piper Aircraft Corp. -- PA-24 (1A15), Piper Aircraft Corp. -- PA-28-140 (2A13), Piper Aircraft Corp. -- PA-28-150 (2A13), Piper Aircraft Corp. -- PA-28-151 (2A13), Piper Aircraft Corp. -- PA-28-160 (2A13), Piper Aircraft Corp. -- PA-28-161 (2A13), Piper Aircraft Corp. -- PA-28-180 (2A13), Piper Aircraft Corp. -- PA-28-181 (2A13), Piper Aircraft Corp. -- PA-28-201T (2A13), Piper Aircraft Corp. -- PA-28-235 (2A13), Piper Aircraft Corp. -- PA-28-236 (2A13), Piper Aircraft Corp. -- PA-28R-180 (2A13), Piper Aircraft Corp. -- PA-28R-200 (2A13), Piper Aircraft Corp. -- PA-28R-201 (2A13), Piper Aircraft Corp. -- PA-28R-201T (2A13), Piper Aircraft Corp. -- PA-28RT-201 (2A13), Piper Aircraft Corp. -- PA-28RT-201T (2A13), Piper Aircraft Corp. -- PA-28S-160 (2A13), Piper Aircraft Corp. -- PA-28S-180 (2A13), Piper Aircraft Corp. -- PA-30 (A1EA),

This may help with your surfboards and drum equipment. There is another way the field approval process to remove the seats or replace the seat with another seat. I have field approved seats in the past, but there was a lot of data submitted to support the approval on a FAA form 337. Your local A&P/IA should be able to assist you with this. Or you can just take them out. Rear seats are not required, but the weight balance will have to be up-dated. This is very easy to do. Just remember any field approval will have to be submitted in the FAA district you live in.

As for the Cessna CE-182, yes you can remove the back seats. Since the seat in on the original equipment list it is only a minor alteration and requires an airframe record entry and updated weight and balance signed and dated by an A&P. After the seat is removed note it on the equipment list as being removed. This is very simple thing to do and does not require re-certification.

If you need assistance you can contact me at the Oakland Flight Stand District Office (510) 748-0122 ext. 246.

Denny of Oakland