The International Cessna^® 170 Association

Does anyone where to buy the same type of rubber flooring that is used in the newer Cessnas?

Have you tried Cessna? www.cessnaparts.com

The link bigrenna posted over there does not work.
Here's a link to the product mfr'r:

http://www.aerofloor.com/

delete

I just used the unbacked flooring from Spruce:

https://www.aircraftspruce.ca/catalog/a ... oofmat.php

I would not recommend it, it is heavy, and it seems to tear easily. There are a couple of spots that are really narrow around the seat rails and it is hard to install without trying to stretch it. That said now it is in it looks ok. I was also a little disappointed not to get any kind of burn data with it, I chose that over wallmart for that reason. I would have liked to use the aerofloor that Greg used, but shipping and import to Canada were prohibitive, doubling the price. Maybe if I fly down there I will pick some up.

I also put in the Flap tunnel cover from Selkirk. Again a lot of fiddling and cutting, I am not sure that I should not have simply cleaned and painted the Cessna tunnel and fabricated two cover plates for the front portion of the sides.

I have to say listen to what Greg (Bigrenna) says in his posts, he is spot on and way more skilled and disciplined than me:)

For float operations, the carpet flooring in my 170 was unusable. I replaced it with rubber mat from a supplier (although it took some searching for the burn test). This type of flooring looks like diamond-plate aluminum for its molded pattern. It is in very common use here in Alaska, particularly amongst float flyers. A rubber floor is great defense against wet, muddy, bloody, and stinky occupants and gear.

My IA had the flooring out during the last inspection, and on a whim decided to weigh it. 23 lbs. TWENTY THREE. He was impressed with my surgeon-like rubber cutting skills, but hit me over the head with material choice.

So I went searching for a similar material with a lighter gross weight. The best solution I've found is the rubber matting that airliners use. You've seen it a thousand times and never thought about it: rubber matting with circles on it about the size of a nickel. Its lightweight because that translates to fuel savings and the bottom line for those operators.

I have not been able to find an easy source, however, for the material. Maybe someone in the crowd knows?

-Scott

If the product doesn't provide the documentation, you can perform your own burn test.

Seems like the moisture would get trapped under the rubber mat and possibly cause other problems as well.

Why not just go with out a floor mat/carpet at all? You could put down a few strips of that non-skid tape in key areas.

How do I do & document such a test?

I like a mat because I can easily and quickly take it out and rinse it off at the end of the day.

I took my floor out when doing the float kit; it took quite some time to get back in, so going with a bare floor isn't a good option for me.

Not trying to be too flippant; but that's why. If you are staying clean and dry and trying to save weight, I totally agree with your solution.

-Scott

Scott, did you see Greg's source for what your looking for about 3 posts above yours?

AIP Source. http://www.aipsource.com

And for the burn tests, they vary depending on how the aircraft was certified. We only have to meet the burn test required of CAR3. It is a pretty simple test as I recall but you will have to do some research to find it.

Of course while not required you might want to use stuff that meets the latest requirement for new planes. If you should be so unlucky to be in a burning 170 your going to wish the material meet the latest harder test rather that the easier early one.

Of subject but Redux is a light weight insulation, readily available at big box stores, is a plastic bubble pack with aluminum on each side. You've likely seen it as it is used in home construction to wrap heaters and ducks and they make car sun shades out of similar material. It meets the latest FAA burn tests and we have copies of the certs in our library. $25 worth will do most of a 170 interior. Yet when I hold a simple match to it, it will light, the flame propagates, and it puts off an ugly black soot I wouldn't want to breath in a aircraft fire. I can not bring myself (yet) to install it in my plane regardless of the certs.

Well, I saw the link NOW. Thanks, Bruce! For what its worth, the flooring I described above is called AerMat 9000. I sense my pocketbook is going to be lighter in the future.

The best thing is now I have a really good pattern ...
-Scott