Aero Comfort interiors new policy

[Schllc]

Just an FYI for all those considering a new interior.
I was trying to book a date with Aero Comfort to get an interior done, and they informed me that after 2024 (no available spots btw), they will no longer do removal and install. 
They will only accept interiors shipped to them, and will return for owner to handle install. 
I was very disappointed with this news….

[T. Peterson]

Is this the Hector fellow that does such outstanding work? If so, that’s a real bummer, especially for those of us who are not willing to tackle a job like that on our own.

[GeeBee]

I lucked out!

[CChris]

That is a bummer. I was just going to give Hector a call to secure a position to refurbish my interior.

Any recommendations on good interior shops, preferably in Florida?

[Marc_B]

7 minutes ago, GeeBee said:

I lucked out!

That's exactly what I was thinking!!  Seems pretty epidemic that there are too many aircraft and not enough humans to maintain them.  On the positive side, I'm sure this will free Hector and crew up to get more interiors done on a better time frame.  But I think their attention to detail was a great positive and I'm glad I had them do all the work.

[LANCECASPER]

Definitely not a new policy - this is how they got their start 20+ years ago:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/60w22tp1u08835e3dqdgb/Aero-Comfort-Policy-MAPA-June-2001.pdf?rlkey=0nlvpf0d1df9h1k00fj2658km&dl=0

 

It's still worth it to have him do the work. All they need to do now is worry about doing what they do best - the upholstery.

You can hire someone to remove and re-install. 

[Schllc]

3 minutes ago, Marc_B said:

That's exactly what I was thinking!!  Seems pretty epidemic that there are too many aircraft and not enough humans to maintain them.  On the positive side, I'm sure this will free Hector and crew up to get more interiors done on a better time frame.  But I think their attention to detail was a great positive and I'm glad I had them do all the work.

Focusing on what makes the money, hard to blame them, but I would have paid a premium for it. I could do it, but doing it requires learning a lot the hard way. 
id prefer to spend the time flying. 
I am also looking for a new referral and preferably in South Florida. 
I suppose you could hire a shop to install them, but that seems like it could be a real crap shoot.  

[ElkoRandy20J]

Boy am I glad I got mine done in September.  As others have said before, the quality of work is great .

[ArtVandelay]

I am also looking for a new referral and preferably in South Florida. 

AeroTrim @KFPR. They do everything from 2 seaters to corporate jets.

[ttflyer]

On the subject of shipping interiors to Hector (which we are doing in about three weeks), anybody have any tips?  Buy or build a wooden shipping crate?

[1980Mooney]

On 10/25/2023 at 7:18 PM, Marc_B said:

That's exactly what I was thinking!!  Seems pretty epidemic that there are too many aircraft and not enough humans to maintain them.  On the positive side, I'm sure this will free Hector and crew up to get more interiors done on a better time frame.  But I think their attention to detail was a great positive and I'm glad I had them do all the work.

 

On 10/25/2023 at 7:24 PM, Schllc said:

Focusing on what makes the money, hard to blame them, but I would have paid a premium for it. I could do it, but doing it requires learning a lot the hard way. 
id prefer to spend the time flying. 
I am also looking for a new referral and preferably in South Florida. 
I suppose you could hire a shop to install them, but that seems like it could be a real crap shoot.  

They are probably getting too old to do the tedious contortionistic work crawling inside the plane with extended kneeling, bending.  And are probably not attracting new employees that are interested.  Like much of the General Aviation service/supply chain that historically supported our antique planes.

[jetdriven]

Shipping that stuff is almost as expensive  as flying the plane there. Also, if its damaged dont bet on the USP "insurance" paying anything near what it should.

[Echo]

This country needs a good recession so the seller can again understand that the needs of the customer matter.  Bring it on....

Edited October 28, 2023 by Echo

[Echo]

FYI, a spanky leather interior does NOT make your Mooney faster and that interior costs a lot of gas that ='s fun.  Screw the fancy interior.  I will be seeing new sights vs. smelling leather... (another perspective)

[GeeBee]

I put in a fancy new interior and flew my airplane more than ever. 

 

[Echo]

18 minutes ago, GeeBee said:

I put in a fancy new interior and flew my airplane more than ever. 

 

Well good for you.

[PT20J]

2 hours ago, 1980Mooney said:

Amen. Shipping costs are crazy. A couple years ago I had to ship my engine mount to Rocket Engineering in Spokane from Houston   It is not one piece, but still rather a bulky and weighed about 70 pounds (if I recall correctly.) including the wooden crate. I had to fight with my A&P and the shippers to keep the cost to about $550 each way.  

I suspect prices are even higher now

Just cost me $85 each way to ship a boost pump to Aeromotors and back UPS 2nd day. 

[DCarlton]

I think I would have to live in a remote area without any other alternatives to box up my entire interior and ship it.  Airtex or SCS, Plane Plastics, SEM and a good local  upholstery shop and I’m good.  

[T. Peterson]

6 hours ago, GeeBee said:

I put in a fancy new interior and flew my airplane more than ever. 

 

We don’t all have the resources to do that, but congratulations.

[GeeBee]

I think you'll find, the CEO of your household will be more willing to go places when the environment in which they sit is pleasing and comfortable. No one wants to fly for three hours on a sweaty, lumpy, worn out seat. Want more allocation of resources, make the experience pleasing.

[Marc_B]

I'm with @GeeBee.  My nonflying friends always looked with disgust at the rental aircraft they'd crawl into (when I was renting) that had worn out interior, broken plastics, holes in the seats "but the engine is new and well maintained."  But stepping into an aircraft that looks and smells like a luxury vehicle is a plus for me and has made it easier to get family to fly with me which in turn leads to me flying more as well.  Certainly all things aviation come at a premium and whether it makes sense for you personally is completely an individual decision. 

But specifically regarding Aero Comfort, I took my Mooney down to San Antonio and let Hector do his thing and it turned out even better than I had expected.  When I'm spending money I always enjoy that feeling (the "wow that's much better than I had expected" feeling), as it lingers much longer than the ouch to the wallet.

[Pinecone]

19 hours ago, Echo said:

FYI, a spanky leather interior does NOT make your Mooney faster and that interior costs a lot of gas that ='s fun.  Screw the fancy interior.  I will be seeing new sights vs. smelling leather... (another perspective)

Same here.  I am redoing my interior, but it will be lower level than the full out.  No ultraleather covered plastic.  Cloth seats (more comfortable in hot and cold).

And about half the cost of the high end interior.

[ArtVandelay]

FYI, a spanky leather interior does NOT make your Mooney faster and that interior costs a lot of gas that ='s fun.  Screw the fancy interior.  I will be seeing new sights vs. smelling leather... (another perspective)

It’s not mutually exclusive, you can have a nice interior (or paint job, or panel) and still buy lots of avgas. It if makes trips more pleasant then I say go for it.
You’ll get some of your money back when you sell it.

[Schllc]

Living within one’s means is always a good idea, regardless of where the limit hits the ceiling. 
All that matters is that you love your plane. 
They are large discretionary purchases that require constant attention and money, as well as currency and proficiency requirements.  If you don’t love them, you will resent each time it makes a demand. If you love them you do it happily, either way isn’t that what we work for?  
I can’t buy a jet, not even close, but I remember the time when I couldn’t own a Mooney either….

 

[kortopates]

Hector has done almost all of my entire interior in stages. Virtually all through shipping ground. Ground shipping cost isn’t that bad, they wrap everything well in bubble wrap- no need for crates.
Hector is able to get the work done much faster when he doesn’t need to schedule room for your aircraft. Although i do all my own work, anyone's local shop can do the removal and re-install for you and save the time and trip expenses to San Antonio, which is sizable for me on the west coast. I much prefer the shipping route.


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