"Kick protector" ideas?

[arksat]

Flying with a new passenger is always fun. However, every time I see them getting into the co-pilot seat, I am very nervous about they may kick the panel by accident, especially G1000 screen
I always explain how to ingress/egress, but also don't want to be too fastidious to the passengers before a fun flight...

Is there any creative ideas to protect the co-pilot side panel?
I am thinking to improvise a foldable protector panel by using foam boards or something.

[Colin]

Watching my passengers really carefully I have never seen one come even *close* to kicking it. I've had a few step on the leather seat, which I don't love. But I just stop them on the wing and say, "grab here, step directly onto the floor, then sit down." Doesn't seem too fastidious. I mean, I've never had a complaint, they seem to appreciate the guidance.

[Don]

As Colin mentioned above, I do the same by giving them progressive instructions. I never had an issue. That said, when loading passengers into the back seat, I put a small hand towel down on the leather as some passengers want to step on the seat when entering.

[AndrewM]

I always give a quick demo, explaining the best places to hold on/put your hands, and then to step directly onto the floor, not onto the seat. I have never had a passenger seem to mind, as I explain why it is important to not to step on the seat and so on.

[Rich]

For many years I was not the only pilot of the plane. Somewhere along the line someone managed to kick the right-side knob on the audio panel, bending it. After much deliberation over a couple of months, I very carefully straightened it just knowing it was going to break off Somehow it didn't

The thing logically most at risk for me is the transponder mode knob, though I suppose the 4 knobs on the right side of the audio panel, the 530W, 430W and A/P are all in the line of fire.

I have seen folks want to sit in the front seat and then swing their legs in, like in a car Of course with the stick an almost hopeless gyration. Even without the stick in place it would take a pretty agile person to pull it off. In fact the same is true of the rear seats, I've seen the attempt there, also.

[Colin]

Rich's experience is one reason I removed the right seat's stick. It's much easier for my wife to squirm in her seat the way she does in a car, tucking her feet under her, slouching and having her knees way up and so on. Most importantly, she's able to easily work on her laptop during the longer flights.

Once on short final she put her bag back down onto the floor and knocked the flaps switch from T/O to Landing position. That was sort of exciting and we had a discussion about "sterile cockpit" rules after that.

[Rich]

FWIW, my 78-year-old wife has no trouble using the "right" procedure and dealing with the stick.