McFarland Custom Seat Rails

[patrolpilot]

Originally Posted by Learjetter

Patrol pilot,

I just found a crack in my Pilot inboard rail (‘77 G SN 1799). Would you be willing to post your order form? I’m going to try to measure out my rails (last replaced 2007) today, and it would be good to compare. I’ll try to remember to post my forms as well.

Here are the pages from the '77G Illustrated Parts Catalog, along with my notes.







This reference indicates that four different rails are used in the airplane. This is not what I found in SN 1795. On the Left side, both the inboard and outboard are identical. On the Right side, both the inboard and outboard are identical. The left and right sides are different, but not the in and outboard tracks for the seat position.

Here is what I ordered. I did the measurements first, and then a mechanic confirmed the measurements I made.





My only speculation is that the seat rails have been replaced sometime in the past, and these length pairs were used in place of individual rails. I went with what I measured as I have no basis for further measurement.

I'm glad I didn't delay the order any further, as I had a tough time getting them ordered. As it turns out, my order will be the last custom order they fill for rails. Custom cuts will no longer be filled.

I'm not sure what we do from here are where we would find the stock available. There are eight different seat rails used in the 337, all models. I don't think we will see replacements.

The four rails were $2500 without shipping.

Please note that I left out a hole in the order form drawings. The measurements and 15 hole count are correct.

[Learjetter]

Thanks for that info! I’ll try to contact McFarlane and see what they say.

My engineer friend (A&P/IA) thinks these could be CNC milled from barstock—he’s going to look into that option as well.

Will post any results I get.

UPDATE 1/20/23: Well, I called McFarlane on 1/19 and I wasn't in time to piggy-back on PatrolPilot's custom order since his had just been completed and readied for shipping ...but I was able to order the blank, untreated extrusion in the correct lengths. They sell it by the inch at $2.65 + $30 to cut and about $30 to ship UPS ground. The blanks just arrived at my doorstep (24 hours after ordering!) and look great. My friend with the mill will drill the holes and my local metal-finishing shop will anodize them for about $50.