Make a New Seat Bench for your Piper Arrow Interior

I'll show you how I fabricated a new seat bench for the rear seats of my Piper Arrow II. The seat bench of the PA-28R-200, is essentially a sheet of plywood covered in carpet, and is used to support the rear seats for passengers in the aircraft. Over time these get worn out. During the restoration of this Piper Arrow interior, I decided to fabricate a new bench to replace the 50 year old one in this airplane.
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[@theaccountant5133]

Excellent job. After repairing my board with JB Weld in any areas that were weakened I painted my board also. I see the backing on your carpet. It looks like the same material that was on my original carpet. That material flaked all over the place and what a mess. The new carpet I am using is SCS-Interiors pre-cut carpet for my Piper. $1,050.00 at todays costs and no doubt due to inflation much more next WEEK. Ha Ha.
It does not have that backing but can be applied with "hook and loop" (Velcro type material?) I will have to see how that works out. But with all the fittings that go on that board there is really no need for glue. The fitting seem to hold everything down in place just fine.

[@BlueSkyFlight]

I’d agree with you. You can definitely get away with not gluing to the board with all the metal brackets. But it probably made it easier to installed the brackets without the carpet moving. Whatever keeps it all secure.

[@dongmingbai3492]

This is a amazing job. I just bought a SCS carpet due to small animal peed my rear seat floor and cargo floor. I wanna change both floorboard for sure, but i am not sure can i made the floorboard by myself, is it a legal?

[@BlueSkyFlight]

When in doubt, I would say always ask an A&P. With that said, most interior work is allowed to be performed by the owner as outlined in 14 CFR Part 43, Appendix A, Subpart C (Preventive Maintenance). I'll provide a link below, just scroll down to subpart C. From what I read there the owner can repair and replace the majority of the non-structural items in the interior (as long as the replacement parts are certified to meet the appropriate standards). All of the carpets and other materials I used for my renovation were from Airtex Products and come with a certificate for my logbook showing that they meet all FAA requirements for fire, etc. There's also a ton of other maintenance that the owner can perform on their airplane in general - but I'd say always talk to an A&P if you're unsure.
www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-C/part-43#Appendix-A-to-Part-43

[@amtpdb1]

With all the changes, how much had to have 337's or what paperwork done to have the FAA ok it? Thanks

[@BlueSkyFlight]

The 337s and for substantial changes. The materials I used to redo the interior are same weight and manufacturer, so no 337s. I documented the log books with the changes and included the tags that verify compliance with FAA approved materials for fire etc.

[@amtpdb1]

Thanks

[@theaccountant5133]

I reviewed a later video and commented on this process and the rear brackets. My error in saying something was missing. Your Piper apparently has pins that drop into the rear holes where in the 1977 Piper Arrow III there are little buttons that project upward to hold in the rear sear rear "legs". I didn't know the terminology of the t fittings but after looking at what you are doing here you must have spent 20-30 man hours doing all of this work.

[@BlueSkyFlight]

That’s probably a good estimate on the time. I typically worked about 4-5 hours a day, kind of taking my time. Spent about 2-3 days in the plane getting the floor done plus time home in the garage working on the bench.