Naked Interior?

[Wildhorsesracing]

Howdy all,

I was helping re-install the worn and cracked fiberglass molding after the new windows were installed and wondered what the interior would look like without the old cracked fiberglass parts and headliner.  The plane I had before this M20C had no interior whatsoever, it was simply the inside of the exterior panels painted with epoxy paint that had chips/flecks in it similar to the trunk of an old car.  Has anyone done this?  Any pictures?

[HRM]

You may want to consider Bruce Yaeger's "Spatial Interior Panels" that snap in. They are in the final stages of FAA approval I believe.

[scottfromiowa]

Howdy all,

I was helping re-install the worn and cracked fiberglass molding after the new windows were installed and wondered what the interior would look like without the old cracked fiberglass parts and headliner.  The plane I had before this M20C had no interior whatsoever, it was simply the inside of the exterior panels painted with epoxy paint that had chips/flecks in it similar to the trunk of an old car.  Has anyone done this?  Any pictures?

UGLY?

[1964-M20E]

No reason why you could not do it that way taking the time to wrap wires and cables to make them look better.  I'd be concerned about sharp edges and other hard points.

[Wildhorsesracing]

I teach people to drive race cars for a living so spartan interiors look wonderful to me. I can't help but think that saving the weight of an interior would make the plane fly farther, faster...  We just took out the old and non-working avionics out of my plane and it was a weight savings of close to 50 lbs! 

[N601RX]

You may want to consider Bruce Yaeger's "Spatial Interior Panels" that snap in. They are in the final stages of FAA approval I believe.

How recent is this info? I talked to Bruce about 2 years ago and he was expecting it any time then. He sent me several pictues, it looks like a nice solution for below the window interior pieces.

[Wildhorsesracing]

How recent is this info? I talked to Bruce about 2 years ago and he was expecting it any time then. He sent me several pictues, it looks like a nice solution for below the window interior pieces.

 

I talked with Bruce - he is still awaiting approval.  Looks like a great interior that will allow more room.

[jetdriven]

I have had all of that plastic out and it might weigh 3 pounds by itself. The lower sidewalls and carpet are probably another 10 pounds.  I am considering swapping the crappy cardboard sidewalls for carbon fiber sheets and glue to carpet to that. It might save you 10 pounds.

[tomn]

What is the rule when it comes to replacing interior panels. Is this something that must be done only using an approved interior piece? How much can you change when n stalling new panels or other interior parts?

[jetdriven]

IDK but carbon fiber sheet must be more fire resistant than the pressed fiberboard that's in there now.

[rbridges]

I teach people to drive race cars for a living so spartan interiors look wonderful to me. I can't help but think that saving the weight of an interior would make the plane fly farther, faster...  We just took out the old and non-working avionics out of my plane and it was a weight savings of close to 50 lbs! 

 

My friend has a glasair with a bare interior.  Personally, I don't care for it, but it's definitely an individual preference.

[Wildhorsesracing]

True, I also like buildings with the rafters/raw structure/plumbing/electrical showing as well. To each his own.

Colin Chapman of Lotus racing fame felt that to win races you "add lightness", surely that applies to aircraft as well?

[rbridges]

Every bit counts.  Sometimes 50 lbs makes a difference whether or not you can get another passenger in the plane.

[M016576]

Every bit counts. Sometimes 50 lbs makes a difference whether or not you can get another passenger in the plane.

Or whether or not you'll make it over the next ridge...

[sreid]

Or whether or not you'll make it over the next ridge...

If 50 lbs makes a difference, you ought to think about how much margin you're operating with!

[KSMooniac]

I've seen a lot of homebuilts without interior panels, and some look OK and some look terrible IMO.  A Mooney would look awful IMO, with a mixture of steel tubes, aluminum joints, aluminum tabs for securing the panels, bundles of wires and coax, insulation, etc.  You would have to do a LOT of deburring/edge dressing to make it safe, followed by painting to make it look decent.  Unless you're an air-racer, I would stick with a finished interior.

 

Having said that, one doesn't need to go overboard if refreshing an interior by adding tons of weight, either.  

[HRM]

I talked with Bruce - he is still awaiting approval.  Looks like a great interior that will allow more room.

 

That is my understanding, the STC is in the hands of the feds. I frankly think the extra room is a minor feature. To me, the update of the interior to the 21st century along with snap and click ease of removal/replacement with very few visible fasteners are the improvements I am waiting for. The pictures are gorgeous--this just might be the upgrade that gets my wife to fly with me.

[DaV8or]

That is my understanding, the STC is in the hands of the feds. I frankly think the extra room is a minor feature. To me, the update of the interior to the 21st century along with snap and click ease of removal/replacement with very few visible fasteners are the improvements I am waiting for. The pictures are gorgeous--this just might be the upgrade that gets my wife to fly with me.

 

I've done some googling, but where do I find the pictures of the interior?

[AmigOne]

While I have some experience from my airplane RC hobby, it is not to difficult to repair cracked plastic interiors with epoxy and fiberglas cloth working from the back of the part.  If some portions are missing, it is a bit more involved but not impossible.  For painting there are some excellent paints specially formulated for plastics that will not peel off in a variety of nice colors.  Two years ago I removed  the vinyl covered arm rests to paint of a different colorthan the side panel and the paint has not faded or stained.  Both surfaces are easy to clean.  I could say w/o exaggeration that after repair and painting, my whole interior looks almost like new.  While new interior replacement parts are available they are expensive and I have read that they often require a lot of trimming and some times the final fit is not as expected.  My carpet was a bit stained in the area where all are: the place where you rest your feet, so but after cleaning it improved a lot and I just placed a good quality  automobile rubber mat trimmed to fit to hide under my feet.  I think I'm fuzzy about cosmetics and the do it yourself stuff is satisfying.  BTW since we went to the new format I haven't yet figured out how to post pictures, if somebody tells me I'll post some of my interior.  Thanks.      

[yvesg]

While I have some experience from my airplane RC hobby, it is not to difficult to repair cracked plastic interiors with epoxy and fiberglas cloth working from the back of the part.  If some portions are missing, it is a bit more involved but not impossible.  For painting there are some excellent paints specially formulated for plastics that will not peel off in a variety of nice colors.  Two years ago I removed  the vinyl covered arm rests to paint of a different colorthan the side panel and the paint has not faded or stained.  Both surfaces are easy to clean.  I could say w/o exaggeration that after repair and painting, my whole interior looks almost like new.  While new interior replacement parts are available they are expensive and I have read that they often require a lot of trimming and some times the final fit is not as expected.  My carpet was a bit stained in the area where all are: the place where you rest your feet, so but after cleaning it improved a lot and I just placed a good quality  automobile rubber mat trimmed to fit to hide under my feet.  I think I'm fuzzy about cosmetics and the do it yourself stuff is satisfying.  BTW since we went to the new format I haven't yet figured out how to post pictures, if somebody tells me I'll post some of my interior.  Thanks.

To post pictures, click on the "more reply options" and you will get new button to Choose and attach files.

Yves

[omega708]

Attempting to attach the images sent to me by Bruce.

 

 

 

[HRM]

I've done some googling, but where do I find the pictures of the interior?

 

I received them directly from Bruce, I do not know if they are officially released, so you will need to email him.

[kmyfm20s]

I have had all of that plastic out and it might weigh 3 pounds by itself. The lower sidewalls and carpet are probably another 10 pounds.  I am considering swapping the crappy cardboard sidewalls for carbon fiber sheets and glue to carpet to that. It might save you 10 pounds.

I just replaced my kick boards and they came with corrugated plastic instead of that cardboard. I wish I weight them before i installed them but between the old shag carpet and cardboard they are lighter.

[HRM]

I received them directly from Bruce, I do not know if they are officially released, so you will need to email him.

 

Nevermind...see "omega708"'s post.

 

Gottah admit, a gorgeous interior for an E!

[AmigOne]

Thanks Ives, that was the only button I didn't check.