Blog | January 06, 2021 Written by: Camber Media Team
Camber’s professionals have had to solve this challenge on some large aircraft with complex floorplans. The perfect fit is always demanding work, as each aircraft has its unique requirements. Recently, we managed the installation of an exquisite carpet into a Boeing 747-8 at the end of the cabin outfitting. This incredible hand-woven carpet was extremely expensive and on several large and heavy rolls that had to be fitted into the more than 500 m2 interior in less than a week. Camber experts developed a process, worked closely with the completion centre, supplier and owner representatives, planned and managed the whole process.
It sounds easy, but actually even cabin carpet becomes a project on its own when we talk about corporate jets. Before we can begin, a new carpet needs to be selected, keeping in mind not only its design and finish, but also balancing its ability to provide excellent sound insolation with the weight of the carpet. It takes time for a new carpet to be produced and certified, so carpet selection needs to be done well before it will actually be needed.
When the aircraft arrives at the facility, the old carpet must be carefully removed and the temporary carpet installed to protect the floorboards during the final reinstallation of the cabin. The new carpet, when it arrives, needs to be sized outside the aircraft. Here, a template is used – often the old carpet – to shape the carpet with small overlaps. The trick is to size the carpet it without breaking its unique pattern and having a minimum number of seams that will be invisible, once installed. When the sized carpet is carried carefully into the cabin, you have to be extremely careful not to damage the delicate finishes of the already installed monuments and seating. More so, you absolutely must not interfere with the finishing work being performed throughout the cabin during the day shift. Trimming is performed in the cabin, carefully removing the excess carpet to ensure a perfect fit into each corner, each edge and under the seating. To sum it up, you have to get impeccable fitting throughout the cabin. There's no space for any mistake.
What was the final result? A perfect fit of course, finished on time for a very happy client. A bowl of pasta on your jet carpet could happen anytime. It may just inspire you to update your aircraft with a new one. Or, if you had a spare carpet made during your jet’s last fitting, the stained section can be replaced and the stained section cleaned. But how to clean delicate aircraft carpets perfectly is another story. Just remember, whether your aircraft is large or small, if you want a perfect fit, you will definitely need professional help.
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Head of State cabin completion management.
Heavy maintenance, technical compliance and redelivery management to OEM.
VIP Cabin completion management, green and completed aircraft acceptances, heavy maintenance and modification project.
Green aircraft and completed aircraft technical acceptance, cabin refurbishment, heavy maintenance oversight, aircraft survey and technical records review.
Tom Chatfield has over 35 years’ experience working with highly respected companies in the aviation industry. A trained avionics technician holding Transport Canada and EASA Aircraft Maintenance Engineer licences, with a MSc in Airline Transport Management from Cranfield University, Mr. Chatfield is characterised by his professionalism, technical insight and solutions-oriented approach.
In high school, Tom worked at a flying school to pay for his flying lessons. After gaining his pilot’s licence, he attended Canadore College before being hired by de Havilland Canada in 1986. Starting as a production flight test technician, he was fast-tracked into avionics engineering, later becoming de Havilland’s youngest international field service representative.
Tom joined Lufthansa’s partner, Contact Air, in 1992 to lead the Avionics Department and, later, to manage the Engineering and Maintenance Planning Teams. Recruited as Maintenance Manager in 2000 for DaimlerChrysler’s new corporate jet division, he led the team to achieve 100% dispatch reliability of its A319CJ during the first two years of daily trans-Atlantic business-class shuttle operations. Tom oversaw the maintenance, modification and AOG recovery of DaimlerChrysler’s global operation of Airbus, Global, Challenger, Falcon, Learjet and Cessna business jets.
A boutique leasing consultancy, Santos Dumont Aircraft Management, hired Tom in 2004 as VP Technical to develop processes and train specialists to support an impressive list of client airlines and leasing companies.
Qatar Airways’ offered an opportunity in 2009 to join the senior management team of its new business jet operation. Mr. Chatfield managed Qatar Executive’s technical operations, defining new aircraft specifications, overseeing completions and leading the team to receive Part 145, CAMO and Bombardier Service Center approvals.
In 2013, after 24 years of working abroad, Tom returned home to Canada to launch Camber Aviation Management with a trusted team of professionals to deliver technical advisory services and unique custom designed, world-class corporate and private aircraft to the high net worth, corporate and head of state clients worldwide.
Since January 2020, Mr. Chatfield is the CEO of Camber Aviation Management.