Tom-D
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yes, and to add, Get them involved at the start. not after.
Upholstery work
- Thread starter Johnny torres
- Start date
Skip Miller
Final Approach
Yes, pretty much anyone can do it at a big shop. The regs say maintenance must be done by a "person" but the definition of "person" in FAR 1 states clearly that "person" includes corporations. So ironically you may not be legal as a one man aviation upholsterer, but if you work for a shop incorporated as such you can be legal. The certifications and return to services are handled by the shop, not by the individual. -Skip
Tom-D
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because the large FBOs have a director of maintenance who does the return to service entries. To make it short, every one works under their supervision.
bnt83
Final Approach
There is no DOM where I work and lots of repair station authorized people can sign log entries.
Don't get stuck on the DOM term.
Key is that an FAA certificate holder must return work to service. Just about anyone can perform the work.
Certificate holder can be an individual acting alone and working for themselves, using their own certificate.
Certificate holder could be a repair station (company that holds an FAA certificate) who can employ both licensed and unlicensed individuals, some of those whom are authorized by the repair station policies to return to service using the repair station's certificate.
Stewartb
Final Approach
I've changed my own interiors 4 times with some assistance from my upholsterer buddy and without any help or involvement of a mechanic. My current interior has been copied a few times and I've coached guys how to do it. The FAA guys that have seen my interior are very complimentary. This ain't rocket science. My airplane's airworthiness is not contingent upon the interior. Put it in, take it out, paint it pink.... no problem.
Checkout_my_Six
Touchdown! Greaser!
Impossible. 
Tom-D
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Some hard nosed ASI, could make a issue of that, most find that it isn't worth the effort.
But your insurance companies might, read your insurance policy, the fine print can have a statement that your aircraft must be flown in an airworthy condition.
Timbeck2
Final Approach
I'm wondering what if anything makes an aircraft un-airworthy if you removed say, a headliner or a side panel or a seat cover. Where is it written that upholstery is an integral part of the aircraft and therefore must be in place before one can legally fly an aircraft?
bnt83
Final Approach
Having a hard time seeing anyone complain about that assuming it doesn't impact weight & balance appreciably.
There are many things related to interiors that can render them unairworthy when you get to bigger airplanes. Such as a belted divan (couch) that can be occupied for takeoffs and landings would be unairworthy if crash pads were missing on any cabin dividers.
ifly4fun
Line Up and Wait
Guy in the hangar next to me never puts his interior back in his 150 after annual... saves time for the next one.
bnt83
Final Approach
Cessna 162 doesn't even have what I would call an interior.
Tom-D
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In the production certificate.
This is how one model can be different from the others.
Tom-D
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Really depends upon what was there to start with. You'd be surprised at what I find in aircraft. the materials I removed from My Fairchild weighed a bit over 100#
The old W&B verses the new was 250 # different. (lighter) lots of other things got eliminated.
Stewartb
Final Approach
Nope. All they say is "nice interior". No made-up internet argument BS, just the truth.
Tom-D
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Like I said, "some don't think it's worth the effort". try to pass a compliance in section with out a return to service entry, or for that matter try to get a part 135 certificate with out one.
James331
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If someone follows the SIMPLE guide in the link I posted a ASI isn't going to have a leg to stand on, regardless of their level of effort
You had over 100 POUNDS OF SEAT FABRIC AND FOAM???????????
Because that is what we are talking about here.
Tom...
Tom-D
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Don't you read the whole post ? sheeeze
bnt83
Final Approach
http://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC21-25A.pdf
Paragraph 4(a) is applies to aircraft that were tested and certified with crash test dummies, changing the seat cushions alone without approval is unairworthy. That applies to all restart Cessnas, Cirrus and others.
Here is the intro:
Paragraph 4(a) is applies to aircraft that were tested and certified with crash test dummies, changing the seat cushions alone without approval is unairworthy. That applies to all restart Cessnas, Cirrus and others.
Here is the intro:
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jesse
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That means nothing. The government can basically do whatever they want to those airplanes. We however cannot.
Stewartb
Final Approach
I've reported concisely what my experiences have been. How about you?
bnt83
Final Approach
Your experience seems limited at best and poor advice for someone looking at starting a shop who would be paid for services trying to feed themselves maybe a family and in the end being held responsible for their work. Negligence is bliss until an inspector starts digging and asking questions A brand new guy that has no aviation background would be toast, none of your experiences shared here would change it.
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unsafervguy
En-Route
tom is right, only the owner or operator can do PM. not somebody hired to do it. if you take the seats to a shop you are not PERFORMING PM your are contracting it. I personally agree that replacing is not repairing, but think what you will, bottom line is if you take it to someone to be done it needs a A&P to return it to service.
for johnny, you just need to have an A&P to work with you on it. that covers you legally. if someone gets checked by the FAA and they say, yea, i took them to johnny and he covered them and i put them back, the FAA could come after you for running an illegal repair station. but it you have an A&P blessing it you will be covered.
bob
for johnny, you just need to have an A&P to work with you on it. that covers you legally. if someone gets checked by the FAA and they say, yea, i took them to johnny and he covered them and i put them back, the FAA could come after you for running an illegal repair station. but it you have an A&P blessing it you will be covered.
bob
Stewartb
Final Approach
My advice was very clear. You've offered nothing but conjecture. How many interiors have you done? How many 'problems' have you had?
bnt83
Final Approach
I've probably return to service more interior, cabin, wings, avionics, sheet metal, composites, alteration and repairs than everyone in this thread combined (last 5 years)
Stewartb
Final Approach
A legend in your mind. Carry on. But try telling real stories unstead on imagined ones. Or at least stop criticizing those who do.
bnt83
Final Approach
There is at least one individual on here that knows me a lot better than you, where I work and what I do. You have haven't a clue.
Legend? Um no. That's clearly what you think you are.
Tom-D
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Great.. prove it,, show us pictures we would love to see the work.
bnt83
Final Approach
If you are ever passing Lincoln Nebraska hit me up. I'll even give you a place to stay for free for a couple days. You are a mechanic so I'm sure you won't be disappointed spending a day on campus. Unfortunately I don't feel its appropriate to talk much about my day job much on the internet.
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Checkout_my_Six
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ya...ya....lol.
James331
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Checkout_my_Six
Touchdown! Greaser!
Tom...he has nothing to prove. I take him at his word.
bnt83
Final Approach
Tom-D
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Tom-D
Just like any other internet expert.
Tom-D
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Who in the world would want to go to Lincoln Nebraska ?
Am I surprised at no pictures? No.
bnt83
Final Approach
IDK but the airplanes come from all over the world. Just take a drive down the ramp and google registration numbers.
Checkout_my_Six
Touchdown! Greaser!
spoken like a true pro....
Tom-D
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If you'd like, I'll load this page up with pictures of the stuff I've done.spoken like a true pro....
When I tell you I've done something I can prove it.
But I do like the thought that you believe I'm an expert.
Checkout_my_Six
Touchdown! Greaser!
Now let's not get carried away....I said pro not expert. 
Tom-D
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That doesn't prove you did anything.
bnt83
Final Approach
Any shmuck can post pictures on the internet that aren't theirs so I'm not sure that proves anything either...