DIY Interior Panels?

[Devious Rhesus]

I know there have to be certain fire standards that have to be met when re-carpeting or doing the seats, but what say you all about making your own side panels?

 

What I'd really like to do is toss out the plastic, install some stiffeners on aluminum panels cut to fit, and cover those with carpet or leatherette.

[KSMooniac]

That is entirely doable.  Actually our planes were certified under CAR 3, not FAR Part 23, and there aren't really any requirements for fire/smoke/toxicity.  Having said that, you'd be crazy to install something that doesn't meet the modern specs, you just don't need to bend over backwards to document it.

Ultraleather is a great material vs. a generic vinyl or "leatherette" so you might consider that.  Tons of colors and textures.

[mooniac15u]

That is entirely doable.  Actually our planes were certified under CAR 3, not FAR Part 23, and there aren't really any requirements for fire/smoke/toxicity.  Having said that, you'd be crazy to install something that doesn't meet the modern specs, you just don't need to bend over backwards to document it.

Ultraleather is a great material vs. a generic vinyl or "leatherette" so you might consider that.  Tons of colors and textures.

 

CAR 3.388 says "Only materials which are flash-resistant shall be used."

 

Good luck trying to find a test lab that will certify your materials to that standard with no real definition.  I think your only option is to prove you are compliant with the current FAR Part 23 requirements.

[HRM]

I know there have to be certain fire standards that have to be met when re-carpeting or doing the seats, but what say you all about making your own side panels?

 

What I'd really like to do is toss out the plastic, install some stiffeners on aluminum panels cut to fit, and cover those with carpet or leatherette.

 

Bruce Jaeger's Spatial Interior panels are made from the same plastic used in commercial jets. My guess is that they meet all the latest specs. He has an STC for them.

 

I think if the material that you use is already approved for use in aircraft, you are probably all right. However, just putting in sheets of material will not give you the increase in room that the Spatial Interior does. I did not buy the system for that reason, I just liked the fact that it looks good and is easy to R&R. After I flew for about half of a 3 hour flight I noticed that I was more comfortable than normal, that's when I realized the value of the extra room.

[pinerunner]

Bruce Jaeger's Spatial Interior panels are made from the same plastic used in commercial jets. My guess is that they meet all the latest specs. He has an STC for them.

 

I think if the material that you use is already approved for use in aircraft, you are probably all right. However, just putting in sheets of material will not give you the increase in room that the Spatial Interior does. I did not buy the system for that reason, I just liked the fact that it looks good and is easy to R&R. After I flew for about half of a 3 hour flight I noticed that I was more comfortable than normal, that's when I realized the value of the extra room.

I'm saving my dollars for this. I really think its an upgrade that will add value to our old planes. Ease of inspection, looks great, more room.

[dcrogers11]

Try goggling Kydex, as that is what Aero Comfort uses to build panels and it exceeds all the regs.  

Don

[carusoam]

Airtex

Carpet, door welting, and side walls, low cost and follows the appropriate safety guidelines.

Search on this word and you will find a compilation of ideas.

This is a great supplier if your project is financially challenged.

I used them for my 65C.

For the best seek out aero comfort...

Best regards,

-a-

[pinerunner]

Airtex

Carpet, door welting, and side walls, low cost and follows the appropriate safety guidelines.

Search on this word and you will find a compilation of ideas.

This is a great supplier if your project is financially challenged.

I used them for my 65C.

For the best seek out aero comfort...

Best regards,

-a-

OK now you've got me! How much difference between Airtex and Aero Comfort? I'm on the verge of ordering Airtex carpeting. Would Aero Comfort give me something extra for my dollar either in final quality or in fit and ease (less fuss and bother) of installation? I plan on following up the carpet with Spatial Interior even though I'm currently tight with the dollars.

[ryoder]

Also check out scs, they have ensolite foam sound deadening built into the carpet as an option.

[dcrogers11]

OK now you've got me! How much difference between Airtex and Aero Comfort? I'm on the verge of ordering Airtex carpeting. Would Aero Comfort give me something extra for my dollar either in final quality or in fit and ease (less fuss and bother) of installation? I plan on following up the carpet with Spatial Interior even though I'm currently tight with the dollars.

 

IMHO, you really can't compare Airtex to Aero Comfort.  If you're the DIY kind of guy and pretty handy, the Airtex products will get out of a shabby, dated interior.  I've seen posts where guys that have gone the Airtex route and come out with a clean looking setup.  I started out thinking that I would save money and go the DIY route myself, but ended up going to Aero Comfort to get a really high end interior.  I'm reasonably handy, but I could have never ended with the look that I got from them.  It's a bigger investment, but I was doing a full makeover on my '64C with panel, avionics, and 201 windshield so the difference in cost wasn't that great in the big picture.  If you're just looking at only replacing the interior, there is a substantial cost difference.  Good luck with whatever you decide.

Don

[ArtVandelay]

I'm not sure about the Aero Comfort route, in another thread, someone said they just cover your old panels. My plastic is pretty old, and has some cracks in it, I think I prefer to replace as oppose to just covering or repainting? Plus there is some stuff I like to remove, like microphone holder and ashtrays.

[KSMooniac]

Aero Comfort will patch/repair/modify your existing panels as needed before covering.  That might be the cheaper route unless they're literally disintegrating as fitting new plastic panels is quite tedious/time consuming.

[dcrogers11]

They actually take the old panels and re-work and reinforce them where it is needed, repairing any defects and cracks.  If you want anything removed, it can be cut out and repaired. This really wouldn't work if you were just re-painting, but looks great if they are recovered like mine were.

Don

[carusoam]

Airtex was my solution for my first Mooney on a minimal budget.

If it's my last Mooney, my budget will get spent at Aero comfort.

They are both nice, you get what you pay for in this case....

Best regards,

-a-

[HRM]

I'm saving my dollars for this. I really think its an upgrade that will add value to our old planes. Ease of inspection, looks great, more room.

 

I am going to add that my wife had not seen the interior since it was installed and last weekend when she took me to the airport she got to see it out on the ramp at KEDC. She was freaked out and could not believe how good it looked. I believe her comment was that it looked like a new airplane, not only redone, but modern. 

 

You should know that she will not fly with me yet, but we're getting closer!

[KSMooniac]

Harley, you need to go find a young lady and take her flying, and then show pics to your wife.     Or maybe have her drink a couple glasses of wine first... I had to do that to get one to go up with me once and she ended up loving it.