Spirit Aeronautics recently returned a Cessna Citation 650 back to its owner after a total interior refurbishment. The aircraft features carbon fiber accents and design elements. The design includes carbon fiber inlays, blackened wood laminates, multi-layer high build gloss coatings and new Corian countertops.
“From the beginning of this project the client was attracted to clean European styling combined with western comfort, which is very challenging in an aircraft of this size,” said Tony Bailey, president and COO at Spirit Aeronautics. “To top it off, the client did not want to change the certification basis of the aircraft, so we had to look for stylings that gave a minimalist impression without adding or removing any of the current furnishings.”
Deep black wood laminates, accented with carbon fiber inlays, were used for solid surfaces in the galley and lavatory, as well as on the drink rails. The seats were modernized using graphite/charcoal-grey leather, combined with tight stitching and multi-layer hand-shaped foam with contoured lumbar. The carpet was specifically crafted utilizing a two-tone block pattern designed to make the walkways appear larger. In addition, the interior was updated with brushed nickel plating on all the metal surfaces, new LED lighting and IFE upgrades.
“This aircraft was a challenge but we were fortunate to have a great customer with exceptional taste to work with,” said Bailey. “Some of the obstacles we faced with this project were not typical with a traditional interior. For example, the wood and carbon fiber surfaces required additional layers during the high-gloss finish process, which induced trim and fit problems that had to be meticulously resolved. Compounding the problem was the black color, which highlighted every imperfection and blemish, requiring extra care and constant touch-up. In addition, the customer only had a very narrow window for all of the work to be completed, which required long hours and amazing dedication from our team to get it accomplished.”
May 29, 2015
