Interior Cessna 172 update?

[C172er]

Does anyone have any suggestions for shop that can help me to update my Cessna Skyhawk II with a new interior? I have been told by a few that I should be speaking to automotive as they can do the job at a fraction of the price? Does anyone have any recommendations? Also, I'm trying to get a feeling for the price of the update? (Leather interior)

Cheers and Thanks!

[kiloindiapapa]

I recently bought a 172 that had the interior done by (i beleive) Edmonton Aero Uphosltery. They did an amazing job and overstuffed the seats really nice. I remember seeing the reciept and the cost was around $5000.00 I dont know about the automotive places cause I think the material has to be fire resistant made for aviation but I could be wrong.

[Hedley]

If you're going to replace any of your interior with parts from Cessna, prepare to get out your chequebook! Their prices are insane for the simplest, smallest part.

[TeePeeCreeper]

I dont know about the automotive places cause I think the material has to be fire resistant made for aviation but I could be wrong.

Nothing wrong using aviation grade materials and getting an automotive type shop to install it.

[kiloindiapapa]

Nothing wrong using aviation grade materials and getting an automotive type shop to install it.

For sure, thats kinda what I ment, might have to make sure the shop uses the aviation material.

[aero-singidunum]

Try for panels:
http://www.planeplastics.com/

[C172er]

Can anyone make any recommendations as to a shop that they have dealt with? I knew about the need for avaition material, now the fun stuff. Finding a place that will do it.

cheers

[TeePeeCreeper]

Where are you located?

[qa guy]

I dont know about the automotive places cause I think the material has to be fire resistant made for aviation but I could be wrong.

Nothing wrong using aviation grade materials and getting an automotive type shop to install it.[/quote
labour costs are usually less in aviation....my dealership charges $102/hr and hourly rate at cessna service station is $85

[flyinggreasemonkey]

if you value your aircraft, stay away from YGD.

[TeePeeCreeper]

labour costs are usually less in aviation....my dealership charges $102/hr and hourly rate at cessna service station is $85

Never said that you should bring it over to a car dealership!

The bottom line is that if you get aviation grade materials and then get someone who only does upholstery work your going to pay less for a quality job.

The gentleman that redid the interior of my ''spamcan'' charged less than 35$ an hour for his work, and did a fantastic job.

[C172er]

I am located in Toronto. From what I can glean from the thread I think I feel pretty comfortable beginning to look for an upholstery shop that can do what I need. Here is another question for the group, where can the avaition grade material from? Am I right in saying I can just pull of teh door panels, unbold the front and back seats, get them redone and reinstall with no issues from Transport Canada?

Cheers

[Hedley]

CAR 625 App A applies:

http://www.tc.gc.ca/civilaviation/regse ... /a625a.htm

(14) repair of upholstery, trim and cabin furnishings

[ME109]

FAA Advisory Circular AC43.13-1b Chapter 9 Section 4 discusses what could be an acceptable for burn requirements etc. Be careful what you buy and do your homework. Even if it is elementary work it still requires a log entry.

[qa guy]

labour costs are usually less in aviation....my dealership charges $102/hr and hourly rate at cessna service station is $85

Never said that you should bring it over to a car dealership!

The bottom line is that if you get aviation grade materials and then get someone who only does upholstery work your going to pay less for a quality job.

The gentleman that redid the interior of my ''spamcan'' charged less than 35$ an hour for his work, and did a fantastic job.

I understand, but I was just comparing apples to apples.
I do agree though....find someone who specializes in interior to guarantee a good job.
At my shop we did a few 172's. carpets, seats, and wall panels was about 3k, plus labour.
Company we bought the kits from is called AIRTEX

[Hedley]

I replaced a Mooney interior with Airtex, years ago. They make good stuff, but be forewarned that you're going to have to trim the stuff down to fit and drill holes - the panels don't just drop in. It takes a lot of time to do it right, at least it did for me.

[Upholsteryguy]

I know these posts are old but I am about to give you people a lesson on upholstery shops.

Fist I should tell you I have owned a shop for 30 years so I know what I am talking about, and yes I have done the work myself. From sales to orders to ripping down, patterns, cutting, sewing, and replacing, and yes I am also the janitor.

So lets get on with it:

1.) shops have their own suppliers for fabrics
2.) they can usaully locate whatever type of fabric they require for safety purposes,
3.) a lot more shop are refusing to work with your fabrics... you are cutting into thier labour money.

So before you run out and thinking you are going to save a lot of money buying your fabric somewhere else remember, you may not be able to find a shop that will work for you, and if the shop is any good at what they do they will charge you a lot more for labour to try and recoup the lost profit. Basically, in the long run you saved nothing.

[Jungle Jim]

Guys,

I went through this a few years ago with my Stinson. The bottom line with the fabric was that it had to have a recognized fire rating. There is no national or federal regulation covering this in the US or Canada. Therefore it was deemed at the time that the New York/New Jersey test approval would suffice. It is basically a vertical burn test that specifies the max burn rate, max drip rate and self extinguishing time. The British, French and other countries have national standards that are variations of the DIN or Steiner tunnel tests. Fabric suppliers are able to provide copies of the approvals when you purchase the fabric. I forwarded the approval sheets to TC to get their input and blessing and then had a local upholstery guy do the seats and my wife and I did the side panels and head liner. We saved a lot.

Jim

[Tiredoldcoot]

J.J.

You might wish to go to FAA.GOV and have a look at FAR 25.853, specifically Apendix F, Parts IV and V. This the standard used across the border and here in Canada for fabric requirements used, not only in Transport category aircraft, but also spam cans.

Without the certification that the materials meets these standards for 'burn requirements" Transport can ground your aircraft. I had to re-do two twin Cessnas that were done without this requirement being meet!

So yes, THERE IS a standard for the materials used in aircraft, Everything from the foam in the seats, the side walls, passenger advisement signs and fabric. Everything ya use on an aircraft.

And yep, I've done a truck load of interiors, both spam cans and transport category aircraft, On both sides of the border. And FAR 25 .853 is the ONLY standard that I have found to be acceptable to both the FAA AND Transport Canada.

I've never had to deal with the JAA nor EASA , so I haven't a clue about their requirements. My knowledge of Transport's and FAA's requirement are first hand.

I couldn't find a dictate that says the interior had to be done by a licensed A & P nor Ame, or for that matter by an approved shop. But , it has to been completed with materials that meet FAR 25's specifications. regardless of who does it, there must be a log book entry stating that the repairs/replacement meets the requirements of this FAR. I always attached a copy of the burn test certification to the log book for the owner's retention.

[Tiredoldcoot]

Jim:

Check out FAR 25.853, and Appendix F, Parts IV and V.

I do believe that's a Federal requirement in the US and the ONLY accepted standard in Canada.

The specifics can be found on faa.gov website.

While FAR 25 applies to Transport category aircraft, the specifications listed are all what is reuired of spam cans. Check your local TCCA office if you wish, and they'll confirm.

[black hole]

For what its worth: Leather and wool do not require any approval as they are natural fabrics.


BH