Flight Observer's Seat (First/second observer)

(1) The absence of a power unit and related mechanism is the major difference between the observer's seat and the captain’s/first officer’s/flight engineer’s seat. These seats are manually operated in the vertical and fore-and-aft directions. In a typical aircraft, first observer’s seat is an adjustable, non-folding seat where fail-safe position locks are installed. Where as the second observer's seat is a folding nonadjustable type, bolted directly to the floor substructure and positioned next to the aft partition adjacent to the flight compartment Entry. See Figure 2.2.

(2) Neutral Position: The neutral or normal position for the first observer's seat is an attitude facing the captain's station with the aft portion of the bottom seat cushion 25-5/16 inches above the floor. In this position, the centreline of the seat is approximately 18 degrees clockwise to a line parallel with the airplane centreline. From this position, the seat can be moved a total of 5 inches in the fore-and-aft direction and can be raised 2-1/2 inches, lowered 8-5/16 inches and rotated clockwise (inboard) 72 degrees. Controls for movement of the seat are located on the inboard side of the seat pan. A compression spring provides energy for assist in lifting, and the occupant's weight is utilized to lower the seat. To lower the seat, the occupant sits in the seat and releases the control lever, and the seat lowers slowly. To raise the seat, the occupant rises and pulls upward on the seat with a small force (approximately 5 pounds).

(3) Fore-and-Aft Movement: The fore-and-aft control is immediately aft of the vertical control. Movement is accomplished by the occupant lifting the fore-and-aft control handle and then manually moving the seat in the desired direction.

(4) Backrest and Swivel: The backrest is fixed and cannot be adjusted. The back cushion is an individual flotation unit and is removed by lifting it out of the seat. Swivel of the first observer's seat affords the in-flight crew entry to the avionics compartment through an access door in the flight compartment floor.

(5) Footrest: A footrest is attached to the forward-lower portion of the seat pan support structure. The footrest is folded in toward the seat to a stowed position aft of the forward edge of the seat pan prior to rotating the seat.

(6) Armrests: The armrests are adjustable by a release and lockup control located under the forward edge of each armrest. Both armrests can be pivoted to a stowed position parallel with the backrest.

(7) Cushions and Covers: The back cushion is an individual flotation unit and is removed by lifting it out of the seat. The backrest and bottom covers can be removed for repair or replacement.

(8) Shoulder Harness: A fully automatic inertia reel and dual shoulder harness are provided for the first and/ second observer. A lap-belt assembly with a metal-to-metal buckle accommodating the ends of the shoulder harness is provided. The lap belts are equipped with retractors.

Figure 2.6: Typical cabin attendant’s seat

2.5.3 Cabin Crew/Flight attendant’s Seats: There are a number of seats in addition to 

 

passenger seats, which are located through out the cabin compartment for use by cabin staff during landing and takeoff. These seats are normally the folded module type, which fold away after use, thus allowing more space in the cabin area.

The seat bottoms are normally cushioned and attached with quick attach-detach pins to allow the seat bottom to become an individual flotation device in the event of the aircraft ditching in the sea. Attached to the seat assembly is a seat harness for use by the seat occupant.  See Figure 2.6.