Upholstery work

J

Johnny torres

Filing Flight Plan
Joined
Sep 8, 2016
Messages
14
Display Name
Display name:
Torresupholstery
New to the forum and fairly new to the aircraft industry. Ive been running my own upholstery shop for last 9 years mainly doing custom automotive interiors and recently have been doing aircraft upholstery fulltime for big company here in kansas. Id like to get into doing more aircraft on my own. I have been talking to a local guy here in town who contacted me aboit starting something up for aircraft. I think the biggest advantage we would have is it woild be located at a small local airport with our own hanger. So rather then disassembling the plane and bringing stuff in you could just fly in and park in the hanger. Maybe im thinkong its easier said then done. I guess thats why im here. Would this be something that would be a benefit to people? Would love the input and ideas for this. I would also be willong to do some travelling for some work. During the spring and summers i do alot of trips from kansas to California. Thanks in advance forbany advice. If you like you can look up my shop page on face book to see some of my work at johnny torres custom upholstery
 
Who will return your work to service?
 
You really would benefit from the guidance of a knowledgeable aircraft mechanic/inspector to work on aircraft upholstery. Flammability and crashworthiness requirements are hot topics these days with the FAA. The newer the airplane, the more likely special requirements exist.

IMHO a full interior really should include defueling the airplane and weighing it.

Of course, the homebuilt crowd (kit planes experimental etc) can do pretty much whatever they want, and just contact you to upholster the plane like you would anything else. I'd still keep the weight thing in mind.
 
Last edited:
bnt83 said:
You really would benefit from the guidance of a knowledgeable aircraft mechanic/inspector to work on aircraft upholstery. Flammability and crashworthiness requirements are hot topics these days with the FAA. The newer the airplane, the more likely special requirements exist.

IMHO a full interior really should include defueling the airplane and weighing it.

Of course, the homebuilt crowd (kit planes experimental etc) can do pretty much whatever they want, and just contact you to upholster the plane like you would anything else. I'd still keep the weight thing in mind.
Click to expand...
I think what im leaning more towards is the homebuilt crowd. Thanks for the reply back.
 
Johnny torres said:
I think what im leaning more towards is the homebuilt crowd. Thanks for the reply back.
Click to expand...

No need to limit yourself like that.

Some folks here may be under the falsehood that doing a upholstery job is a big deal, it isn't.

Here's the best write up on it
http://www.avweb.com/news/maint/182839-1.html

People who know much about aviation typically will use hot rod shops and order their own leather anyways.
 
James331 said:
No need to limit yourself like that.

Some folks here may be under the falsehood that doing a upholstery job is a big deal, it isn't.

Here's the best write up on it
http://www.avweb.com/news/maint/182839-1.html

People who know much about aviation typically will use hot rod shops and order their own leather anyways.
Click to expand...
Cool. I order from a few places allready that also carry aircraft grade leathers and fabrics. So getting that part wont be a problem for me. Thanks! all check out the link.
 
Checkout_my_Six said:
It's his game of stump the chump.

Interior work is considered preventive maintenance so I'd just ignore his comment.
Click to expand...


And your statement is very general, and doesn't really apply to new aircraft due to increasingly more regulated crashworthiness requirements.
 
Checkout_my_Six said:
It's his game of stump the chump.

Interior work is considered preventive maintenance so I'd just ignore his comment.
Click to expand...

That may be, but even then someone has to return it to service. The real question is, who can do that? ;)
 
bnt83 said:
And your statement is very general, and doesn't really apply to new aircraft due to increasingly more regulated crashworthiness requirements.
Click to expand...
Please read 14CFR43 Appendix A. Preventative maintenance. Para (c) (11) & (15). It's listed there.
 
Checkout_my_Six said:
It's his game of stump the chump.

Interior work is considered preventive maintenance so I'd just ignore his comment.
Click to expand...
that is correct only for the owners with a PPL.

this isn't a game of stump the chump.

FAR 43-gives the answer to this read it. owners or co-owners may repair, no where does it say the owner may "replace" or they may have others replace the entire interior.
He best get an A&P to supervise the work.
 
James331 said:
No need to limit yourself like that.

Some folks here may be under the falsehood that doing a upholstery job is a big deal, it isn't.

Here's the best write up on it
http://www.avweb.com/news/maint/182839-1.html

People who know much about aviation typically will use hot rod shops and order their own leather anyways.
Click to expand...
True.in addition most fabrics today for upholstered furniture etc, must be "fire resistant". This fellow must know this. He should be just fine.
 
Checkout_my_Six said:
Please read 14CFR43 Appendix A. Preventative maintenance. Para (c) (11) & (15). It's listed there.
Click to expand...
read (11)
(11) Repairing upholstery and decorative furnishings of the cabin, cockpit, or balloon basket interior when the repairing does not require disassembly of any primary structure or operating system or interfere with an operating system or affect the primary structure of the aircraft.

Seat frames are structure.
 
Checkout_my_Six said:
Tom... Which seat parts can he not replace?
Click to expand...
They can all be replaced by the properly authorized person. In this case the rule (11) says " REPAIRED" it does not authorize the pilot owner to replace the entire assembly.
 
Tom-D said:
They can all be replaced by the properly authorized person. In this case the rule (11) says " REPAIRED" it does not authorize the pilot owner to replace the entire assembly.
Click to expand...
Keep reading pal.
 
Tom-D said:
They can all be replaced by the properly authorized person. In this case the rule (11) says " REPAIRED" it does not authorize the pilot owner to replace the entire assembly.
Click to expand...

so recovering is ok since the seat frame is not being replaced or altered?
 
Checkout_my_Six said:
Please read 14CFR43 Appendix A. Preventative maintenance. It's listed there.
Click to expand...

Spoken like a guy who has never read the dynamic crashworthiness regulations on new aircraft.
Tom-D said:
read (11)
(11) Repairing upholstery and decorative furnishings of the cabin, cockpit, or balloon basket interior when the repairing does not require disassembly of any primary structure or operating system or interfere with an operating system or affect the primary structure of the aircraft.

Seat frames are structure.
Click to expand...

In new aircraft seat cushions are structure and require approval. If the seat is a TSO unit replacing the cushion may invalidate the TSO. (back in "all depends").
 
I'm not going to argue the point, go ahead and do what you feel is right and we A&P-IAs will see you at annual time.
 
Tom-D said:
read (11)
(11) Repairing upholstery and decorative furnishings of the cabin, cockpit, or balloon basket interior when the repairing does not require disassembly of any primary structure or operating system or interfere with an operating system or affect the primary structure of the aircraft.

Seat frames are structure.
Click to expand...
Are you suggesting he's breaking the welds on the seat? Am I not allowed to remove my own seat now?
 
midcap said:
so recovering is ok since the seat frame is not being replaced or altered?
Click to expand...

depends how the airplane was certified and what materials you are using. New aircraft were certified to very specific crashworthiness regulations, a person unaware of them is likely to render the aircraft airworthy.

Read them yourself.

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-id...f72bb825&mc=true&node=se14.1.23_1562&rgn=div8

(7) The compression load measured between the pelvis and the lumbar spine of the ATD may not exceed 1,500 pounds.

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-id...f72bb825&mc=true&node=se14.1.25_1562&rgn=div8

A shop/person should be able to purchase approved cushion assemblies and cover them locally.
 
Last edited:
bnt83 said:
depends how the airplane was certified and what materials you are using. New aircraft were certified to very specific crash worthiness regulations, a person unaware of tem is likely to render the aircraft airworthy.

Read them yourself.

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-id...f72bb825&mc=true&node=se14.1.23_1562&rgn=div8

(7) The compression load measured between the pelvis and the lumbar spine of the ATD may not exceed 1,500 pounds.

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-id...f72bb825&mc=true&node=se14.1.25_1562&rgn=div8

A shop/person should be able to purchase approved cushion assemblies and cover them locally.
Click to expand...

Practically, most aircraft getting interior re-done aren't "new" and were probably certified under CAR 3, which is much more flexible.
 
Is there any chance that, we, as a group, could actually provide helpful advice to someone without poo-pooing it with every turn?

I have little to add of substance, except that I have used Recovery Shop in Jackson, CA for my plane. He is basically in the same position as the OP, with a custom auto and plane shop. You may want to see how his model works. I know he's on redboard, but I don't think he's active here on blueboard.
 
bradg33 said:
Sure, but that's still only applicable to Part 23 airplanes. All pre-reboot R and S 172s and even current Bonanzas were certified under CAR 3. I think you could say that "most" small airplanes in the fleet are CAR 3 airplanes.
Click to expand...

I agree, but guy set out to do upholstery needs to know enough to ask questions. There are lot of aircraft that I would have to research prior to accepting an upholstery job, cirrus/diamond/______.

A guy could easily make a spreadsheet of makes & models to keep himself out of trouble.
 
You are sure to find seat frames that need repairs or parts replaced, a good working relationship with a knowledgeable aircraft mechanic will be helpful when you do.
 
Johnny torres said:
New to the forum and fairly new to the aircraft industry. Ive been running my own upholstery shop for last 9 years mainly doing custom automotive interiors and recently have been doing aircraft upholstery fulltime for big company here in kansas. Id like to get into doing more aircraft on my own. I have been talking to a local guy here in town who contacted me aboit starting something up for aircraft. I think the biggest advantage we would have is it woild be located at a small local airport with our own hanger. So rather then disassembling the plane and bringing stuff in you could just fly in and park in the hanger. Maybe im thinkong its easier said then done. I guess thats why im here. Would this be something that would be a benefit to people? Would love the input and ideas for this. I would also be willong to do some travelling for some work. During the spring and summers i do alot of trips from kansas to California. Thanks in advance forbany advice. If you like you can look up my shop page on face book to see some of my work at johnny torres custom upholstery
Click to expand...

Johnny,

Lots of shops do upholstery work for airplanes without any assistance or participation from aircraft mechanics. My local shop that does my stuff also does State and Federal agency airplane interior work. However, they do not advertise or claim to work on airplanes or make airplane parts. That would drag the FAA into it. Ask Oregon Aero about that! If I take a local guy my seats and pick the fabric to put on them the responsibility is mine. My planes are certified under CAR 3 and I have no interest in burn certs or Part 23 crashworthiness standards. Part 23 airplanes will need burn certs.

Be careful how you represent your services and best wishes for a successful venture!
 
So get a burn cert, BFD

It's not difficult or expensive to do, all in the article I linked to towards the top of this topic
 
arnoha said:
Is there any chance that, we, as a group, could actually provide helpful advice to someone without poo-pooing it with every turn?
Click to expand...
With some of these people? Good luck with that. :(

It's really sad when someone asks a question and the response is basically: "If you're asking that question, you're too stupid to understand the answer."
 
Johnny, welcome to the forum and don't get discouraged by some of these guys. We ALL need education on all things aircraft at one time or another. If you read the links James provided you'll find that the burn test/resistant stuff is laughable. I'm sure people in your area will appreciate your services.
 
Here is the question.
Johnny is not the owner or the operator of the aircraft he will be working on, can he do preventive maintenance on it?
 
Tom-D said:
Here is the question.
Johnny is not the owner or the operator of the aircraft he will be working on, can he do preventive maintenance on it?
Click to expand...
How does it work at major aircraft places. Are the upholtery techs certified to work on the planes they dont own or operate? I appreciate everyones input. This is everything i want to know. This isnt something i think im just gonna jump into. Was just asking for information amd advice. Maybe im in over my head and should just stick to automotive.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top