Interior Modifications

Mods, approval, 337's, STC's, fun with the Feds.
Post Reply
User avatar
wtxdragger
100+ Posts
Posts: 243
Joined: Sat Nov 09, 2013 3:46 pm
Location: Iraan,Texas
Contact:

Interior Modifications

Post by wtxdragger »

As a Private Pilot, how much Interior modification am I allowed to do? I've read through the FAA parts, but it's still confusing to me.

For example, replacing old stinking carpet and floor boards, headliners, carpet on kick panels, rearranging instrument locations.
Mercifully Free from the Ravages of Intelligence
1989 M7-235 N90KD
1975 T210L N1675X
2022 CCK-1865 N922UM

https://www.instagram.com/wtxdragger/

User avatar
andy
Site Admin
Posts: 1662
Joined: Mon Aug 06, 2007 2:05 pm
Location: Lake James, NC, USA
Contact:

Re: Interior Modifications

Post by andy »

From AOPA's June 1, 2012 article https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all ... aintenance

Owners may do the following work, provided it does not involve complex assembly operations:

Removal, installation, and repair of landing gear tires.
Replacing elastic shock absorber cords on landing gear.
Servicing landing gear shock struts by adding oil, air, or both.
Servicing landing gear wheel bearings, such as cleaning and greasing.
Replacing defective safety wiring or cotter keys.
Lubrication not requiring disassembly other than removal of nonstructural items such as cover plates, cowlings, and fairings.
Making simple fabric patches not requiring rib stitching or the removal of structural parts or control surfaces. In the case of balloons, the making of small fabric repairs to envelopes (as defined in, and in accordance with, the balloon manufacturer’s instructions) not requiring load tape repair or replacement.
Replenishing hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic reservoir.
Refinishing decorative coating of fuselage, balloon baskets, wings tail group surfaces (excluding balanced control surfaces), fairings, cowlings, landing gear, cabin, or cockpit interior when removal or disassembly of any primary structure or operating system is not required.
Applying preservative or protective material to components where no disassembly of any primary structure or operating system is involved and where such coating is not prohibited or is not contrary to good practices.
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.
Making small simple repairs to fairings, nonstructural cover plates, cowlings, and small patches and reinforcements not changing the contour so as to interfere with proper air flow.
Replacing side windows where that work does not interfere with the structure or any operating system such as controls, electrical equipment, etc.
Replacing safety belts.
Replacing seats or seat parts with replacement parts approved for the aircraft, not involving disassembly of any primary structure or operating system.
Trouble shooting and repairing broken circuits in landing light wiring circuits. Preventive maintenance
Replacing bulbs, reflectors, and lenses of position and landing lights.
Replacing wheels and skis where no weight and balance computation is involved.
Replacing any cowling not requiring removal of the propeller or disconnection of flight controls.
Replacing or cleaning spark plugs and setting of spark plug gap clearance.
Replacing any hose connection except hydraulic connections.
Replacing prefabricated fuel lines.
Cleaning or replacing fuel and oil strainers or filter elements.
Replacing and servicing batteries.
Cleaning of balloon burner pilot and main nozzles in accordance with the balloon manufacturer's instructions.
Replacement or adjustment of nonstructural standard fasteners incidental to operations.
The interchange of balloon baskets and burners on envelopes when the basket or burner is designated as interchangeable in the balloon type certificate data and the baskets and burners are specifically designed for quick removal and installation.
The installations of anti-misfueling devices to reduce the diameter of fuel tank filler openings provided the specific device has been made a part of the aircraft type certificate data by the aircraft manufacturer, the aircraft manufacturer has provided FAA-approved instructions for installation of the specific device, and installation does not involve the disassembly of the existing tank filler opening.
Removing, checking, and replacing magnetic chip detectors.
The inspection and maintenance tasks prescribed and specifically identified as preventive maintenance in a primary category aircraft type certificate or supplemental type certificate holder's approved special inspection and preventive maintenance program when accomplished on a primary category aircraft provided:
(i) They are performed by the holder of at least a private pilot certificate issued under part 61 who is the registered owner (including co-owners) of the affected aircraft and who holds a certificate of competency for the affected aircraft (1) issued by a school approved under §147.21(e) of this chapter; (2) issued by the holder of the production certificate for that primary category aircraft that has a special training program approved under §21.24 of this subchapter; or (3) issued by another entity that has a course approved by the Administrator; and
(ii) The inspections and maintenance tasks are performed in accordance with instructions contained by the special inspection and preventive maintenance program approved as part of the aircraft's type design or supplemental type design.
Removing and replacing self-contained, front instrument panel-mounted navigation and communication devices that employ tray-mounted connectors that connect the unit when the unit is installed into the instrument panel, (excluding automatic flight control systems, transponders, and microwave frequency distance measuring equipment (DME)). The approved unit must be designed to be readily and repeatedly removed and replaced, and pertinent instructions must be provided. Prior to the unit's intended use, an operational check must be performed in accordance with the applicable sections of part 91 of this chapter.
Updating self-contained, front instrument panel-mounted Air Traffic Control (ATC) navigational software data bases (excluding those of automatic flight control systems, transponders, and microwave frequency distance measuring equipment (DME)) provided no disassembly of the unit is required and pertinent instructions are provided. Prior to the unit's intended use, an operational check must be performed in accordance with applicable sections of part 91 of this chapter.
Andy
1986 MX7-180
Image

User avatar
andy
Site Admin
Posts: 1662
Joined: Mon Aug 06, 2007 2:05 pm
Location: Lake James, NC, USA
Contact:

Re: Interior Modifications

Post by andy »

Replacing carpet and headliners would probably be okay since it's like upholstery but replacing floorboards would be structural. Rearranging instrument locations would generally not be allowed for an owner unless it is a tray slide-out and can be replaced without wiring or connector changes. I'm not an A&P so my opinion is just as an owner. I would still get input from an A&P though.
Andy
1986 MX7-180
Image

User avatar
wtxdragger
100+ Posts
Posts: 243
Joined: Sat Nov 09, 2013 3:46 pm
Location: Iraan,Texas
Contact:

Re: Interior Modifications

Post by wtxdragger »

Andy, I appreciate it.

You first post should be added to the new info forum.
Mercifully Free from the Ravages of Intelligence
1989 M7-235 N90KD
1975 T210L N1675X
2022 CCK-1865 N922UM

https://www.instagram.com/wtxdragger/

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 8 guests