OK.. another couple hours of my life gone while wading through legalese (nothing "ese"y about it.. should be called "legalstrain," or "legalmaiming") in FAR 28.853, articles linked to here and a few other threads, various other web searches, suppliers' websites, etc. Really don't want to turn this into another "what can you do/what can't you do" thread... but the more I read, the less certain I become. For instance..
1. For part 91 aircraft, we can use any material that is "flame resistant," ... yet we have to prove it, have it tested, or pay a HUGE premium per yard for material from aircraft suppliers.
2. If you buy the bulk material from Airtex, which is much cheaper than stuff from, say, Gilbreath or even Aircraft Spruce, and Airtex states that it exceeds the requirements of 23.853(a), it does NOT come with FAA from 8110-3, which I gather is the FAA document needed to prove that it does... so you still need to get it tested anyway!??! AND... if it doesn't come with that document... do ANY of the panels or seat kits sold by Airtex come with that document?
Driving me nuts... I hate the physical side of working on cars and MUCH prefer working on my plane, but the mental anguish of these regulations MORE than negates the slight positives physically.
@Timbeck2 is correct.. there is a Tandy leather here in Syracuse. Now all I need is an upholstery shop that wants work or isn't closing, and someone to light that leather on fire for $50 and give me a piece of paper.
Only step forward is that it seems that using aluminum as an interior panel backing is fine. Finally got around to reading a quote I got from AviationsCreations.com .. their stuff looks beautiful. Just the four side panels, with aluminum backing, would be $2845.
Airtex is looking better and better ... except for that lack of 8110-3? triple sigh...
OH... and .. for anyone who read my post yesterday extolling the joys of flying.. I am not bipolar. Just confused by the regs.. and not a big fan of confusion.