Comanche carpets - underneath the seat rails,or around them?

[Matt Kurke]

I posted the following on the other forum in 08/08 - 8729.1

I just had a phone call about this subject which has a long history.

I did a search of the Piper maintenance manuals to see if there were any specifics; all but one mentions the carpet is installed before the rails.

Maurice Taylor suggested the rails need to be bolted directly against the structure which makes sense. I see very few complying with this recommendation.

The attached is a compilation of the references I found; there are many more. On the last page you will find a scanned photo of a 400 sales brochure showing a rail on top of the carpet. Check out the model in the back seat!

Matt

[SLIMDREDGER]

One more data point on this discussion:

My 1964 PA30 had the original carpet under the seat rails when I bought it in 1967. When the interior was done 25 years ago by a quality shop they installed the carpet the same way. The airplane is now nearing 7000 hours and we have found no cracks in the supporting structure to date.

That said, I have eaten lots of vegies, and my gross weight is is well below the average pilot weight, so perhaps my data point should not be considered.

Al Powers ICS 2978

[N3322G]

Al,

Of course your data point should be considered as the 'good' way to live your life - after all, you are still flying a great looking plane and having fun with it. I always enjoy your posts.

[Don Nelson]

Woe is me! In this thread having extolled the virtues of the carpet around the rails, I've now gone out and bought a T30B, (Miller), with the carpet under the rails.
Fortuneately, sort of, the carpet is in dire need of replacement. So thanks all, now I get to consider all the wisdom put forth here in deciding anew which way to go.

Don