Aisle Runners - Any ideas?

[SFL Accipiter]

Hi guys,

I'm presently having a King Air C90 I fly re-interiored. The interior people want to put in a new vinyl runner, but I'm not sure if that is the best idea. Vinyl carpets that are snapped in place have, in my experience, created problems (the vinyl rips relatively easily, the snaps break, etc.). I now have the luxury of pondering different solutions.

I was thinking that perhaps we could make floor mats instead (between the facing seats as well as down the aisle). Perhaps we could use left-overs from the carpet we're installing, or maybe a different material.

Does anyone else have any ideas?

Accip

 

[propsarebest]

Have them make the runners out of seat leather- they are more expensive, but they wear much better than the vinyl ones.
Well worth it.

 

[Say Again Over]

Don't have any great ideas, I here what you're saying, the isle isn't too long in the 90, why use runners at all (corporate folks are pretty tidy), now if you're a charter operator runners might be the way to go.

 

[SFL Accipiter]

Don't have any great ideas, I here what you're saying, the isle isn't too long in the 90, why use runners at all (corporate folks are pretty tidy), now if you're a charter operator runners might be the way to go.

Basically, yeah. However, we still want _something_ to protect the carpet - right now I'm thinking of a sort of "rug-like" runner - one that's not neccessarily affixed to the floor. It could be made of carpet or some other material. I personally think that a nice floor rug will look nicer than a vinyl runner; especially after some serious use.

 

[Say Again Over]

Yes, I agree, maybe with some rubber backing on it to help keep it flat without bunching up.

 

[erj-145mech]

Basically, yeah. However, we still want _something_ to protect the carpet - right now I'm thinking of a sort of "rug-like" runner - one that's not neccessarily affixed to the floor. It could be made of carpet or some other material. I personally think that a nice floor rug will look nicer than a vinyl runner; especially after some serious use.

You need to have it affixed to the aircraft in some manner to keep it in place in turbulance, don't want it flying about. The vinyl that we had in the King Airs worked well, it was easy to clean, and wore well. It was called vinyl, but was actually a naugahyde, fabric backed, flexible.

 

[redd]

You gotta remember that whatever you use has to comply with the associated FAR's regarding what material is used and how it's installed etc.

It's gotta be fire resistant, and what if someone vomits, bleeds, etc on it, is it cleanable?

 

[2EASYPilot]

As an owner once said regarding a runner...who are you protecting it for!! His point was it's his aircraft and he wanted to see the carpet rather than an ugly runner.

 

[icefr8dawg]

IMO the Vinyl/Leather runners make dirt much more apparent so the way to go is the rug type. We were forever sweeping the really nice leather one we have in the doorway until someone dropped a Purdy Neat Stuff bag on it and tore it. (whoops!) We're getting a carpet one that attaches to hooks forward and aft and has some fancy velcro to hold it in the middle. (Hawker 800) Hopefully the dirt will sit in the carpet unseen until the night guys clean the plan.

 

[Cappytan]

As an owner once said regarding a runner...who are you protecting it for!! His point was it's his aircraft and he wanted to see the carpet rather than an ugly runner.

Unforturnately, its probably the same owner that will than complain how dirty the carpet looks after a week of weather flying. Take out the runner, wipe it down, hose it off, etc....good as new.

Also, not sure leather holds up as well as vinyl to those pesky "jet fuel" footprints.

We had a Persian throw rug in the center of the Challenger that was attached via the "sticky mats" you find at any hardware store. Was fireproofed and never moved. Took it out and had it professionally cleaned every couple months, but than it began to show some wear.....back to the vinyl runner.