Seats and interiors

[N213RV]

What are most people doing for seats and interiors? Buying from KitFox directly? Making your own? Using local upholstery shops? Are any other outside companies making interior packages?

Thanks-
Mike Kraus
Building SS7 Radial

[DanB]

Mike,
I think the answer to that is (D)...All of the Above

I decided early on in my build (from talking to others) that I wanted to use the memory foam in whatever seat cushion I used. I have access to an industrial sewing machine and toyed with the idea of doing my own, but I opted for the Kitfox interior package. It may seem a bit pricey, but the fit, look and quality far exceed what I might have done on my own. May sound goofy, but I love the Kitfox Logo that is embossed on the back of each seat. And every time I fly, my butt thanks me. :D

[dginok]

I'm pretty impressed with the quality of the seats from Kitfox Aircraft. The logo is great.

[SSFoxBuilder]

We had a local upholstery shop build ours. His name is Todd, with Backstitch Upholstery (541-806-4666). I decided on our pattern, foam density/type, and colors. Substantially less expensive than the factory option. He did a beautiful job!

[n85ae]

My first set were made by Sam Knight, they were decent, but I didn't like
the foam. Since I'm building a new airplane, and needed seats for it I bought
a Walking Foot sewing machine, and made my own for it, and a new set for
the Kitfox. Cost less for the machine and materials for two airplanes, than
to buy seats pre-upolstered for one .... Took a bit of practice to learn to
sew, but it was a lot of fun. These seats were my first set, and took just
a weekend to make. They're made from 1000D Cordura which is very tough.
The vertical lines in the fabric are reflection of light off the lines in the fabric
where it was folded before sewing.

Jeff Hays

[airlina]

Nice job Jeff-A new career perhaps?

[Esser]

Hey Dustin,

Nice looking seats. I notice you did not cut out the seat pan where the control column is. Do you not get interference there?

[n85ae]

It's just not that noticeable, the seat pan is cutout slightly. Same seat pan
I've been flying for almost ten years now, just new fabric. I did shorten the
seat foam about 1/2" and change the shape of the cutout since my stick used to hit the seat a bit when all the way back.

Also these seats are 3" thick thick memory foam (3 x 1" layers). I'm only 5'6"
so I don't have issues hitting my head, and the foam sinks as you sit in it
anyway. The stock seats done by Knight are just plain old foam, and not
very comfortable. I had already restuffed mine with memory foam a few
years back.

I had Velour before, but I like the look, feel and toughness of the Cordura
a lot more. These are 1000D Cordura, which is the same as used for
backpacks, etc. (yes it might be flammable, but I don't care since if the
seats catch fire that's really the least of my worries ...) Cost is about $7/yd.
on Ebay. The Velour was nice for a few years, but it starts looking ratty
after a while.

Regards,
Jeff

[n85ae]

If I ever get fired from my real job, it's better than shoveling horse stalls ...
Which I did after High School. :)

[SSFoxBuilder]

Oh, haha, yeah it did interfere. I later cut out the notches for the control stick.

[n85ae]

Update on my sewing, and upholstery work in N85AE

Changed my mind and cut out the burgundy fabric, and resewed them with Red.
Here's the finished product installed in my plane. I also refinished all the kick
panels, flooring, seat pan, etc. with Charcoal carpet. Then made Cordura
scuff guards to protect the carpet where you slide in an out of the plane.

I previously had beige velour from Knight upholstery, but like the Cordura a
lot better. The seats are all memory foam which is much more comfortable
as well.

Regards,
Jeff Hays N85AE, Series 5, IO-240B

[SkyPirate]

looks great Jeff~!

[Av8r_Sed]

Nice work, Jeff. You could start a sideline business with quality work like that.

[n85ae]

I have considered that actually, but I'm not sure it's worth it. Sam Knight, and
Kitfox already do very good work. If somebody approached me about making
seats I would certainly consider doing it, but it would have to be within the
limits of what I know how to do. I'm an amateur at upholstery so my skill set
is a bit limited to things I already know how to do.

In a related twist, my mother-in-law has this monster sewing machine that
has literally been sitting for 20 years and I hauled it out of her place last
week (it's got a big table, clutched motor with a flywheel, and a separate
belt drive sewing head). Turns out it's an old Singer Industrial. So I cleaned
it all out and adjusted it refilled the oil (yeah it has an oil pan with oil pump)
and the thing can literally sew about 1/2" thick material without even straining. So by quirk of fate I actually have most of the equipment to
do upholstery work now.

It was basically the old Corvette hidden in a barn under hay bales. So anyway
I have three sewing machines as well. Two of them industrial.

Regards,
Jeff Hays

[n85ae]

Here's another seat project which I am working on for my Zenith CH-801.

Jeff

[Pilot4Life]

Great job on N85AE Jeff. I was Army trained as a "seamstress" a while back as an additional duty...know the fun it can be to work on such projects...keep up the good work!

[airlina]

I can see it now" JS Hays Aircraft Upholstery" we give discounts to IO-240 powered Kitfoxes. Great job Jeff-looks super in your plane. I'll bet they are quite comfortable. Bruce

[n85ae]

Hey thanks guys! It's been on my "not happy with, and want to change" list
with the airplane ever since I built it. So ten years later it finally got done.