Cessna 172 seat limits

DaveC

DaveC

Well-Known Member
I have a rather large person (300 lbs) wanting to start flying in a 172. Is anyone aware of a front seat weight limit? I couldn't find anything in the POH, and the weight and ballance checks out.
 
DaveC said:
Is anyone aware of a front seat weight limit?.
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If there are no operating limitations, then no. You will sometimes hear people express the view that you're limited by the length of the weight line on the weight and balance charts (something like 240 in a C172?), but, again, it's not listed as an operating limitation.
 
I had a friend that I took flying a couple of times who weighed at least that much, he didn't put any undue stress on the seats as far as I could tell.
 
The structural limits of the seat are based on force. F=ma, so for a given acceleration the force will be proportionally higher for a heavier pilot. The seat won't give him/her as much protection in a crash as it would give a lighter person.
 
tgrayson said:
If there are no operating limitations, then no. You will sometimes hear people express the view that you're limited by the length of the weight line on the weight and balance charts (something like 240 in a C172?), but, again, it's not listed as an operating limitation.
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The line-graph in the W&B section showed a max of 400 lbs total for the front seats in the operating handbook. But as you said, it's not listed as an operating limitation in and of itself. As a practical matter, though, putting, say, a pair of NFL linemen in the front seats is probably going to put the CG past the forward limit even if the aircraft is below max gross weight, and that IS an operating limitation.
 
Thanks for the replies. With a few spare parts in the baggage compartment, we're barely within the W&B envelope.


As for the shoulder room, I have 500+ hours dual given in 152s, so I'm used to a cramped cabin.
 
When I got my private, I weighed about 310 lbs. (I am quite a bit lighter now). I did all of my training in a 172, and had no issues at all with room in the aircraft. My instructor was small (140 lbs.) so that helped out quite a bit. Having said that, I took my intro ride with an instructor my size. W & B was fine, but I couldn't have my right arm in the front while his left was in the front (on landings, he had me put my right arm behind his seat). So while 2 large people may be able to do it, it is not smart haha
 
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