I have a PA28-140B, 1969 with the rear seats. I checked with an A&P who stated it was perfectly legal to remove the rear seats if I did not need them. Could any one tell me how they are attached so I can go ahead and take them out.
Actually, you can put in a negative amount of whatever their weight is and check it out. I figured about -20 lbs. with a 180 lb. pilot only and still remained within the envelope with 35 gals. of fuel.. But, "careful" is the word since 140's are forward as it is. Some guys carry extra weight in the rear just to get the CG back a little.
you can remove the back seat, but like removing any seat
your weight and balance must be computed by an A&P
you can remove all seats but pilot seat if you wish.
I do it all the time to convert to cargo configuration on our charter aircraft.
Actually I was mistaken, the notation isn't in my POH but in my Aircraft log. It reads:
"NOTE! Empty weight includes 35 lbs. weight in rear seats. This weight can be removed when baggage or passengers weighing in excess of 35 lbs. occupies rear seat. Weight of 35 lbs. must occupy seat at all times."
It is signed off by an IA.
Mark
I want to thank everyone for their input. I ran my weight and balance and moment envelope by subtracting the exact weight (listed in Original Aircraft Manual) from the total empty weight. I then subtracted the moment of the rear seats. I then proceeded with the check against the normal category CG envelope. The aircraft without the two rear seats fits nicely within the normal category envelope. I double checked with my A&P who re stated there is no problem. Since the aircraft had it's last weight and balance calculated back in the 80's my next annual will include a fresh weight taken.
