DIY interior?

[8322]

So been reading up on diy interior, sounds like biggest issue is making sure material meets flame standards but can get any material tested at faa approved lab for $40.

If im not rebuilding seat but just swapping covering, and taking one carpet out and putting different in, whats the legal requirements for that? seems debated...

Is a new weight and balance required, i see some mentioning that but if you arent redoing hardware n such on seats can one piece of apolstry be that significantly heavier than another that just resking seats reqires w&b On our little bench seat?

So many ideas swirling in my head, the damned inspection needs to get done soon and get my girl picked up so i can quit dreami g of things to do to her and instead just go fly her!

[6643]

Not that it would be good advice to do so, but, our planes were certified under CAR 4a and there is no requirement for flame retardant materials. Another little known fact is, there are planes that were certified under CAR 3 but based on planes certified under 4a, that have the same interior but are required to sport a "No Smoking" placard.

[8322]

I would assume most any basic auto fabric would be pretty flame resistant. What about W&B and log book entries?

[6643]

When was the last time the plane was weighed? If it wasn't recently, I'd do all the work then have it weighed. Otherwise, I'd weigh everything you take out, and make note of where it came from (front carpets, seats, baggage compartment), then weigh everything that goes back in, and recalculate the empty weight and CG. You can weigh the seat cushions coming out and going back to make it a little easier.

This is one of those changes that is often logged as "No significant change to weight and balance" that results in a plane that weighs 70 lbs more on the scales than it does on paper.

[8322]

When was the last time the plane was weighed? If it wasn't recently, I'd do all the work then have it weighed. Otherwise, I'd weigh everything you take out, and make note of where it came from (front carpets, seats, baggage compartment), then weigh everything that goes back in, and recalculate the empty weight and CG. You can weigh the seat cushions coming out and going back to make it a little easier.

This is one of those changes that is often logged as "No significant change to weight and balance" that results in a plane that weighs 70 lbs more on the scales than it does on paper.

That all makes a lot of sense...

[6643]

By the way, you can do your own flame test. The rule for CAR 3 was the flame will not propagate once the ignition source is removed, so, light it with a match, lighter or torch, and then remove the flame source. If it goes out you're good to go.

CAR § 3.48 (c) Flames-resistant. "Flame-resistant"
material means material which will not support
combustion to the point of propagatting [sic], beyond
safe limits, a flame after removal of the ignition
source.

[8322]

I may fire up the Singer again then... i sewed boat seats for my folks pontoon, turned ot nice, and vinyl is a b÷@#+ to work with. I bought old one so its all steel n can handle thick material... also nice because its so old its an external belt drive motor and not being a sewing pro i could spin wheel by hand slow around curves and such...

[8322]

Or probably will just fly her, part of my problem is im waiting to get her... pre buy finally just started... so i spend too much time thinking in anticipation! Lol