Until recently I had only designed “green” jets.  They are called green when they are brand new because they fly in naked (a shell) covered in green paint.  Green jets are a lot of fun because I get to design the whole thing from exterior paint right down to the monogrammed napkins.

This time I have a client who wants me to make over their existing jet. I call it a face lift, the aviation industry calls it a refurbishment.  More challenging in a way since I have to decide what needs to go and what can be worked with.  Very much like designing a house for a residential client.  Most clients don’t want to throw away everything.  There are usually some great pieces to re purpose.

That being said, the wood work is beautiful so we are keeping that. In order to be up to date (and comfy) the seats have been redesigned and the divan (sofa) is being reupholstered.  The tables are getting new wood inlays, the lavatory (bathroom) is being fitted with new plumbing and upholstered walls and the carpet is being replaced.  All the gold plating will be polished and cleaned (and re plated where necessary) and the crew gets new seats as well.

To be completely up to par, a jet must have wi fi.  For my clients, (who often work on long trans atlantic flights) it is necessary to be able to send/receive emails as well as use the internet.  Thus, we have the very latest equipment being implemented.

As you can see below, there are horizontal lines in the window wall..these are called pulls and I’m “pulling” them out.  I think an aircraft looks much cleaner and streamlined without them.  I have chosen new ultra leather for the headliner (ceiling) and a gorgeous chocolate brown tipped leather for the lower side walls.

(I wonder where those sunglasses went?)

Here’s our BEFORE…

And in a couple of months I will have some afters!  We have flown the plane in for its tune up and I can’t wait to see it.

Next week I will fly in for the day to check on the progress and do a seat check.  This is to make sure that the re designed seat (which has been stripped down to it’s metal frame) looks great and sits correctly.

Last week we ironed out the last small design details and watched as the techs started taking it apart.

Out with the old and in with the new!

And the photo below?  I just HAD to sit in the jump seat so I could watch the landing from a bird’s eye view…

Interested in seeing previous jet projects?  Also, Aviation Design.

Hope your week is good!

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Thanks for reading,

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