Portable Stretcher Installation Observations

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

Recently there was a discussion of a 1/2 rear seat. In this case the discussion centered around cutting a full seat in half or nearly in half just to the outside of the center leg. We mentioned the half seat used when the auxiliary portable stretcher was installed. We also wondered how Cessna handled the seat back adjustment as that is on the outside on the wall in early models and attached to the shelf on 55 and later. (see: http://www.cessna170.org/forums/viewtop ... 24&t=10856 )

So I was browsing the IPC and took a close look at it and discovered (perhaps for a second time) a few details. First the rear seat is not a true 1/2 seat. Only the seat back is cut in half. The seat bottom is the full length. Second the seat back adjustment rod or brackets are not used and there is no adjustment of the seat back angle. Instead in it's place is a bar that is pinned on each end that spans the fuselage and the seat back rest in it on pins.And third the front seat is not removed for this installation.

The last thing that struck me is the extended baggage. Yes that is right Cessna had an extended baggage compartment even in the A model and it's been right there in front of us all along.

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From the TCDS:

• 602. Gran portable stretcher installation
  (a) Provision for stretcher, Cessna dwg. 0511003 elig. elig. elig.
  (b) Gran portable stretcher (stored location) 17 lb. (+95) (+95) (+95)
  Note: The stretcher is adjustable for use at two lengths of approximately 72
  and 64 inches. The co-pilot's seat may not be occupied with the
  stretcher extended to 72 inches, the co-pilot's seat back serving as the
  stretcher's forward support. However, with the stretcher shortened to 64
  inches the co-pilot's seat may be occupied, if so desired. The last
  sentence of the normal category placard specified in NOTE 2 is not
  applicable with this item installed. Instead, the maximum ** allowable
  baggage is limited for each aircraft as determined by weight and balance
  check for the most rearward C.G. limit with the stretcher occupied at
  (+73) and with the co-pilot's seat unoccupied. The following placard
  must be installed in the baggage compartment:
  "Maximum baggage ** lb. with stretcher installed."

Would be really great to see Cessna print 0511003 for the stretcher kit and the baggage placard part 0511171.

BTW, I've always had an interest in the portable stretcher installation as my 170 was suppose to have had it installed according to the original equipment list and of course my current profession as a Emergency Medical Services helicopter pilot. Anyone else ever seen any parts of this kit or evidence of it in their 170?

[GAHorn]

I wonder how the forward position of that right seat-back might interfere with right-side yoke-travel. (and if the stretcher req'd removal of the right yoke, if present.)

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

Looking for evidence of the stretcher installation in my 170. Specifically I was looking for the holes that would have to be in each side to hold the bar that holds the back seat. Hard to tell from the IPC where exactly this pin at the end of the bar (#3) would go.

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But on my aircraft I found this hole (at the end of the red arrow) in the bracket attached to the fuselage side which is used to adjust the normal seat back on 54 and earlier aircraft.

So I'd appreciate if we take a pole. How many 170s have this hole in the bracket? All of them? Or maybe only those that had the stretcher option installed. Can't wait to get this response.

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

I've also had some private correspondence with someone who will remain nameless (I assume they don't want to be identified) who has seen the Stretcher Kit drawings. They gave some interesting details. The extended baggage area is nothing more that a canvas bag. There is no floor other than the fuselage skin but it is coated with "rubber hair".

The front passenger seat back forward stop is also ground off so the passenger seat back can fold down flatter on the seat. So if one of your seats folds down farther than the other perhaps that seat was used with a stretcher. (I forgot to check mine today )

Also the right door had removable pins with loops at the top because the door had to be removed to facilitate loading and unloading the stretcher.

Here is another interesting thing I noticed comparing the IPCs for the A and B model.
The A IPC shows the extended baggage but the stretcher does not enter it.

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But in the B the stretcher, well stretchs into the extended area. Must have been for taller patients as people grew taller after '52.

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[Bruce Fenstermacher]

Could just be a coincidence, but my passenger seat folds forward farther than the pilot seat as the kit instructions detail.

[N419A]

My 53 does not have a hole in the seat bracket and the the front seats fold forward to the same angle. No evidence of stretcher mod in mine.

Paul

[GAHorn]

Front seats are required to fold forward for rear pax exit in emergencies....but not fully forward so as to protect front seat occupants in the event of a crash. The stretcher installation requires the right seat to fold forward to accomodate the stretcher, but I have not found any difference in seat part numbers which provide for that.
I notice the right front seat belt secures the stretcher from movement, while the right rear seat belt secures the patient.

My own front seats BOTH are restricted in forward movement to about a 45-degree angle.

BEWARE: Should you need to change seats between aircraft, note the different part numbers associated with particular airframe serial numbers found in the IPC. This is especially true of the last sn's from 26949 and on, until the intro of the C-172, as complete assy's must be used. (Backs/seats no longer interchange.)

Also, BEWARE: Installing later model Cessna seats can introduce Airworthiness Directives which may not be well-tracked by the unknowing. Many later, articulating type seats can be installed, but which have A.D.'s against them. Those seats, when installed in C-170 aircraft (all models) may no longer be noticed by maintenance-inspectors due to their pedigree being unknown.

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

Front seats are required to fold forward for rear pax exit in emergencies....but not fully forward so as to protect front seat occupants in the event of a crash. The stretcher installation requires the right seat to fold forward to accommodate the stretcher, but I have not found any difference in seat part numbers which provide for that.
I notice the right front seat belt secures the stretcher from movement, while the right rear seat belt secures the patient.

BEWARE: Should you need to change seats between aircraft, note the different part numbers associated with particular airframe serial numbers found in the IPC. This is especially true of the last sn's from 26949 and on, until the intro of the C-172, as complete assy's must be used. (Backs/seats no longer interchange.)

I have recently been given the Portable Stretcher Accessory Kit instructions for B models from '52 through '55 which are two different instructions because of the differences. I have yet to post these to our library. We are still looking for the instructions for the '48 and A model but they are probably the same as the early B model.

The instructions have some tid bits of info. First instructions for drilling the hole in the set back adjustment bracket that I pictured earlier is there. Instructions for how to modify the passenger front seat back stop are found there George. This instruction also points out two different style of seat frames and how each is modified.

It talks about two different length stretchers and how they are used. There are a few other drawings different than the IPC which show the aircraft seat belts being used differently to hold the stretcher in. It is apparent to me that the aircraft seat belts both front and back are only used to hold the stretcher, not the patient. The stretcher should also have belts to hold the patient to it which are necessary to transport the patient when not in the aircraft.

[hilltop170]

I have a Cessna Service Kit stretcher for the C-180. It is similar to the later C-170 kit but 180 degrees out. The front passenger seat is removed and the stretcher has feet that fit on the seat tracks where the front seat was. The patient's feet go under the instrument panel and their head is basically in the back seat. The rudder pedals are left in place and it does not interfere with the controls. It should fit in a C-170 exactly the same.

A nurse or other care giver can sit in the back seat as well and be close to the patient's head. I have only used it once while flying a CAP mission to transport a burn victim from a remote location to the hospital and it functioned very well. The guy I bought the plane from used to haul corpses at night, not me!

[GAHorn]

Well, Bruce.... as an EMS-pilot...sounds like you're gonna have to find a stretcher-kit to go with those Goodyear brakes!

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

Well, Bruce.... as an EMS-pilot...sounds like you're gonna have to find a stretcher-kit to go with those Goodyear brakes!

The wheels in my head are already turning what and how I can reproduce the kit. Wouldn't be lucky enough to find one.

[GAHorn]

I can see it now...Theresa will recline and enjoy the flight as she reads her favorite book on the way to next convention!

[n2582d]

I've downloaded AK70B52-6 and AK7053-13 to the Maintenance Library.

[Kyle Wolfe]

Bruce - you just have to have this!

http://m.ebay.com/itm?itemId=141122092301

[hilltop170]

Yep, that's just like the one I have with my C-180, same color and everything. The feet go forward so the front seat is removed and the head is in the standard bench back seat.