Upholstery
In-House Upholstery Shop
PHI is one of the few MROs that has an in-house upholstery shop, making us a one stop shop for all your completion needs. From EMS to offshore transport, our team uses high-quality, durable material to ensure a finish with superior comfort that is built to last.
Our experience even extends to VIP work, as we are the trusted provider responsible for completing all upholstery work on the presidential helicopter fleet. We give every customer this same attention to detail and dedication to quality.
PHI upholsters both pilot and passenger seating on helicopters of varying sizes and for different mission configurations. Below are a few of the aircraft that our upholstery shop has experience working on.
AS350
AW139
Bell 407
EC135
S-76
MATERIALS
Based on decades of experience, our upholstery shop has selected the materials that best suit the operational environment of our customers. For each mission type, PHI has considered what is most important in creating an interior that is both durable and comfortable.
EMS & SAR
For EMS and SAR, we use sheepskin and to upholster pilot and passenger seats. Along with being resistant to flame and static electricity, sheepskin is a natural insulator that draws away moisture. It is also perfect for EMS as wool is a hypoallergenic material.
Transport
For transport, especially offshore, we upholster seats in woven flannel with patterned and solid color options. Woven flannel is a breathable fabric that wicks away moisture, making it perfect for oil and gas transport as well as any environment where moisture is a concern.
VIP
For our VIP customers, we use a durable engineered leather that is both more comfortable and environmentally friendly than traditional leather. It offers the same luxurious look with exceptional durability for long-lasting, high-quality seats.
Our Process
For all upholstery work, the team at PHI follows a proven process for consistent results. Through every step, we have quality and safety at the forefront of our minds. We ensure that every interior we complete meets our high-standards, promising seats that are comfortable and built to last.
- Consultation
- Inspection
- Preparation (cleaning and dismantling)
- Initial Design Process
- Customer Review
- Production
1. Disassembly
The first step in preparing a helicopter for a fresh interior is disassembly. This allows us to verify measurements and determine and necessary prep-work. It is also imperative for our preliminary airframe inspection.
3. Cut Materials
Once we are sure of the airframe’s integrity, we begin preparing the chosen materials. We cut the foam to customer-specified thickness along with the Velcro and requested fabric. Our shop has patterns to ensure exact measurements and a clean fit every time.
5. Construct Seats
Once all the materials are ready, we begin construction of the seats. Along with occasionally adding adhesive, we sew everything together with a focus on achieving a precise, even finish. With everything sewed, the seat construction is finished.
7. Installation
Once we have verified the quality of our work, we begin the final step of reassembling the aircraft. We install the pilot and passenger seats in the appropriate configuration and perform a final check to make sure everything is secure.
2. Inspect Airframe
Before constructing the new interiors, we complete a thorough visual inspection of the airframe to check for areas of wear or damage. Typically, any complications we find can be quickly resolved through our sheet metal shop.
4. Spray Adhesive
For some of our completions, especially when working with woven vinal, we add a layer of adhesive between the foam and the fabric. This strengthens the bond between them, enhancing the durability and lifespan of the seats.
6. Quality Check
Before re-installing the seats in the aircraft, they first undergo a final quality check. We examine every seat carefully to ensure that they meet customer specifications as well as our own high standards for safety and durability.
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