Carpeting

[Richard Boyer]

The carpet in my T is starting to look a little ragged. I was thinking of replacing it by visiting the local Aircraft Supply house (Aircraft Depot). The thought crossed my mind that I might want something that is a bit resistant to flame. I'm not entirely confident that what is in the plane now is such a material, but moving forward it might be nice. The current carpet also has a black rubbery backing, anyone ever seen this?

Any ideas on what to look for?

Thanks!
Richard Boyer
N95791

[N96337]

Re: Carpeting

Richard, was that in there when you got the plane? It seems to me Ken called me and asked about carpet and approvals and what he got was actually approved...but that was a long time ago and my mind doesn't retain stuff like it used to... hahaha
You only have to get stuff that meets the original certification specs, which weren't much back then, but most of the decent upholstery suppliers can give you stats that will show it meeting FAR23 now days.
John H.

[Richard Boyer]

Re: Carpeting

Yup, same carpet, new stains. I had a small fuel leak in the main tank that has left a nice blue stain, and now black stain since starting to use autofuel.

Not sure what to use though. I'll bet that anything sold at carpet world would exceed the original specs though.......

Richard Boyer

[jgerard]

Re: Carpeting

My plane came with a "door mat" cut to fit. Works great although a bit heavy. Kind-of a grey ribbed woven fiber type with a rubber bottom. Nothing slides on it. Keep a Fuel sample tube and a rag on the passenger side and they never seem to move. I also keep a set of plastic chocks on the pilots side that are always in the same place regardless of how bad my last landing was. And for long CC when I bring a tool bag it sits nicely on the floor along with my soft cooler and 12v motorcycle battery. I have not decided what to replace my "door mat" floor mat with after the recover. I would like to find something a bit lighter.

Since my plane has been down for recover I have been flying a L4 cub a lot. Always loved the way a Cub flies, but miss the spaciousness and better utility of my old Tcraft. I don't think I could have shoved two 26" ABW in the front seat of a Cub.

http://gallery.taylorcraft.org/main.php?g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=2584

[mulwyk]

Re: Carpeting

On our boat we use that rubber mesh non-slip shelf liner stuff. Available at RV places and hardware stores. Some folks use it underneath rugs to keep them from slipping on the floor. Trim to fit with sissors. Cheap as dirt and weighs almost nothing.

Bob Gustafson

[Howard Wilson]

Re: Carpeting

Just bought carpet for the 172. Plane Plastics will send a burn certification and samples.

[Mark Julicher]

Re: Carpeting

I got floor carpet in a roll at an auto supply store. Label says it is flame resistant. Cut to fit, snap down to floor with tonneau cover/tarp snaps (from Airplane Depot). Get real fancy and put a metal heel kick plate on it in front of the brake pedals -- You can do that with double countersunk rivets or fastener of your own choosing.

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Carpeting

As stated above you only have to meet original certification which basically means use whatever you want. The carpet with the black rubber backing I have seen is automotive carpet and I don't like it. Our local interior shop uses a commercial building carpet which will outlast your airplane without using heel plates. It is made for heavy daily trafficand being coommercial it does have a fire rating. It is low profile and looks very nice is aircraft.

Mike

[VictorBravo]

Re: Carpeting

Aircraft Spruce sells a spray-on material that turns otherwise non-aviation carpet into fire resistant carpet, MEETING FAR 25.853. It appears that using standard carpet (or interior materials) and spraying it with this stuff makes it OK with the feds.