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CABIN UPGRADES
BEFORE
TIPS FOR MAXIMUM COMFORT AND ROI
by Dale Smith
Let’s say that you’ve already upgraded the avionics in your airplane as far as your needs require and your budget allows. The obvious
next steps in the typical upgrade path are the inte- rior and paint. And while many of us would think that a new paint job would add the highest short- term return, that may not be the case, especially if your aircraft is of the larger-cabin class. There’s a pretty clear differentiator in what the guy or lady sitting in the cockpit’s left seat values versus the person sitting in the cabin’s right rear seat.
“You can paint an airplane, and it looks great on the ramp, but you’re only going to see it for a few minutes,” stated Phil Stearns, director of sales and marketing at Stevens Aerospace and Defense Systems. “You’re going to spend hours and hours in that airplane’s cabin. That’s where you’re typically going to spend time and money regarding the materials, finishes and amenities to get maximum return on that investment.”
Of course, the only one that’s a sure-fire winner is to put on new engines. That’s guaranteed max ROI. Anything else, and, at best, you’re looking at recouping varying percentages of the original cost.
AFTER
April 2021 / TWIN & TURBINE • 13