In fact, it might be prudent to update the weight and balance section
of the POH with seats-in and seats-out weight calculations, unless
your POH has some other provision for flying without the seats.


Please don't shoot me if this is a stupid question. G

Couldn't you simply calculate the weight and station (of the center of
the weight) of the seats, do the same with the replacement items, use
them in the CG calcs, and be good to go?

Yes, exactly. I'm just saying you might want to have that calculation in the
aircraft POH rather than on the back of an envelope. Seems to me the aircraft
was (probably) certified with seats in, and you are making a modification by
removing the seats, and that should be documented on the W&B section of the POH.

Maybe I'm just over-cautious, but I'm pretty sure I've heard of doing exactly this.

Probably no difference as far as safety of flight, just a documentation difference.

Dave