The back seats were not too bad ... the front seats were pretty tired ... and the overall yellow and rust and brown just screamed 1970s.We looked high and low for an interior shop. One shop wanted to re-use our old foam and promised an outstanding result (how?) and a reputable vendor said they'd make up the covers and we could install them ourselves (I know how those things go).
Finally, we settled on Enrique's Custom Upholstery at the Levy County Airport (X60) in Williston FL. Henry (Enrique) and his family came to the US years ago and eventually found their way to a horse farm near Williston. They had been in the upholstery business in Mexico before coming to the United States and after trying to make ends meet for a long time, returned to what they knew best. The transition to aircraft interiors took some time but they have created some beautiful work and have an impressive portfolio. Henry, his wife and son work together in the family business and the work is coming in!
Henry and Dave (Fisher) worked together for a helicopter operator and went out on their own later. They've been in the service hangar for several years and are now leaseholders. The dream is alive for these guys and they work hard - even harder in these historic economic times. Dave installed a new windshield, new front side windows and new door seals while Henry and his family did the interior
The old front seats were not in all that bad of shape. Maybe some slipcovers would have been OK but we'd still be stuck with the sidewall panels and all that yellow.
SHE took one look and decided not to fly in the airplane. It smelled old. The carpet had a lot of old oil in it from who knows when.
Where I saw classic, SHE saw dated.
Son John's bride to be has been tactful enough but I saw something similar there.
There was only one way out
.
Henry and Dave to the rescue!
The old interior was removed completely. The old insulation was removed and with that all the "old airplane" odor was effectively gone.
Dave took out the old front side windows and windshield and replaced them with new ones, tinted light grey.
The old insulation was replaced with a new product that is not only a temperature insulator, it also is a noise attenuator. Super soundproofing, he calls it, and it WORKS!
The difference is just astounding.
The new side windows are made without the metal frame that came with the original windows. The difference in the size of the window is really apparent.
I think Henry did a great job of re-shaping the rear seats to bring them into the 21st century
The overall effect brightens the airplane considerably and gives it a much more pleasant first impression.
SHE says she likes it.
And I like that.
The old front seats were not in all that bad of shape. Maybe some slipcovers would have been OK but we'd still be stuck with the sidewall panels and all that yellow.
SHE took one look and decided not to fly in the airplane. It smelled old. The carpet had a lot of old oil in it from who knows when.
Where I saw classic, SHE saw dated.
Son John's bride to be has been tactful enough but I saw something similar there.
There was only one way out
.Henry and Dave to the rescue!
The old interior was removed completely. The old insulation was removed and with that all the "old airplane" odor was effectively gone.
Dave took out the old front side windows and windshield and replaced them with new ones, tinted light grey.
The old insulation was replaced with a new product that is not only a temperature insulator, it also is a noise attenuator. Super soundproofing, he calls it, and it WORKS!
The difference is just astounding.
The new side windows are made without the metal frame that came with the original windows. The difference in the size of the window is really apparent.
I think Henry did a great job of re-shaping the rear seats to bring them into the 21st century
The overall effect brightens the airplane considerably and gives it a much more pleasant first impression.SHE says she likes it.
And I like that.
2 comments:
Hi Alex! Congratulations on your new Bonanza interior. Talk about a transformation...and it even smells new! I check in at "Let's go Flying" every month and one of these days I'm going to fly down there. I'm flying a Luscombe 8E these days and really enjoying the side by side seating. I sold the Champ to a fellow who soloed one in 1946! He wanted to end his flying career as he started...as a Sport Pilot in a Champ. Are you attending the Bayport fly-in this summer? I'm flying to the AAA fly-in in Blakesburg, Iowa on Labor Day weekend. Happy flying!
John Chapman
Hi John! It's great to hear from you! Yes, I'm airlining up from Florida next weekend. This is the first year I've been able to go for the whole thing - every year it seemed I had school or a trip, and that was when I was flying out of Long Island! I'm thinking of selling my Champ (reluctantly) to make room for an open cockpit airplane - I've been bitten by that bug ... have to scratch the itch and SHE says I have to sell the Champ to do it. All the best to you - regards to Amelia.
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