Date: 201203
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: Citation Excel (C560XL)
Operator: Fractional
Operating under: Part 91
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Parked
Aircraft component: Pilot Seat
Component problem: Design
Reporter organization: Fractional
Reporter function: Pilot Flying; Captain
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human factors: Communication Breakdown; Other / Unknown
Second reporter function: Pilot Not Flying; First Officer
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: Pre-flight
Result: General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Release Refused / Aircraft Not Accepted
Contributing factors: Aircraft; Company Policy; Equipment / Tooling; Human Factors; Incorrect / Not Installed / Unavailable Part; Procedure
Primary problem: Company Policy

Narrative: PIC is [taller than average] and during preflight determined that he could not safely operate the aircraft with the left seat in any position. In the far aft and down [seat] position; his eyes were level with the top of the windows and he could not see one third of the engine instrument gauges. Also; he had to spread his knees apart to keep the control yoke from hitting them during full aileron deflection. His eye line was above the Design Eye Reference Point (DERP) sight line and he could not get it to go lower.He called company Maintenance Control and was referred to the Assistant Chief Pilot (ACP) on duty. ACP talked to him about the problem; but almost immediately escalated it by asking PIC if he was 'refusing to fly the aircraft.' PIC told him he was not refusing to fly; but felt that he could not operate the aircraft in a safe manner. Subsequent conversations with Chief Pilot (CP) relayed the CP's belief that it was normal for every pilot to have to lower their head to see instruments; or see outside the cockpit; or have to make adjustments to be able to fly the aircraft; and that he did not consider the seat unsafe to use for flight operations. That PIC felt threatened with respect to his employment status cannot be questioned. He felt he had notified the company of a legitimate safety concern and he was rebuffed by the CP who gave him circular reasoning why he thought it was acceptable for him to operate the aircraft without full outside vision; full movement of controls; and full vision of the flight instrument panel.The company's solution to the problem was to switch PIC's rather than address the issue of a seat cushion; which no longer meets the Original Equipment Manufacturer's (OEM) standards. In subsequent discussions; it was learned that our company has asked Cessna to replace pilot seat cushions with larger than original cushions because the original ones were wearing out too quickly. This results in a seating position too high for a tall person; and outside of the FAR Part 25 DERP standards; but our company continues to ignore the problem and is pressuring crewmembers to fly aircraft they feel are unsafe for them to operate.Suggest removing the new cushions and go back to the OEM standard design. We had 10-years of Excel operations with these cushions with no problems for taller crewmembers. If the old design cushions wear out sooner; so be it. Replace them. Safety shouldn't be compromised because it is inconvenient to replace a part.


Second narrative: [The] First Officer and I were assigned to accept a Cessna CE-560XL out of maintenance from the Citation Center in ZZZ. Upon climbing into the left pilot seat; I adjusted the rudder pedals to their furthest forward position; adjusted the seat to its lowest height setting and then adjusted the seat to its most aft setting. After completing these adjustments; it was evident that I was not going to be able to get the seat into a position where I would be able to operate the aircraft safely.I am [taller than average]. I was unable to turn my head to the left to look out the side windows due to my head being pressed into the visor rail and ceiling. I was unable to immediately view the top one third (1/3rd) of the engine Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD) without craning my neck down to see them. I had to duck my head down to look directly out the front windshield. As far as the sight gauge balls on the center glare shield pillar; I was looking down on them to where I could view all three of them independently.I called Maintenance Control to write-up the APU and told them at that time I would be unable to accept this aircraft due to the seat. He put me through to the Assistant Chief Pilot (ACP) to whom I explained the situation. He then asked me if I was refusing to fly. I explained to him that I was not; but with this seat I would be unable to operate the aircraft safely. Because of the ACP elevating it to becoming a jeopardy event with his question of refusal; First Officer contacted the Supervisor to inform him of our situation. Chief Pilot then called us for a conference call to discuss the situation. He then went on to state he understood the situation and that they have looked into it. His stated opinion was that ultimately the problem/solution is that the pilot will have to adapt and overcome the seat cushion problem.


Synopsis: Flight crew report about the inability of tall pilots to safely operate CE-560XL aircraft with the new thicker replacement cushions for pilot seats that reduces vertical seat adjustments; restricts full outside vision; restricts full movement of flight controls and full vision of flight instrument panels. The new cushions no longer meet the Original Equipment Manufacturer's (OEM) standards for 560XL pilot seats.