Aviation Fabricators (AvFab) based in Clinton, Missouri has been doing some absolutely fantastic upgrades of King Air 90 interiors as of late and sent over some before and after pictures that were very impressive. We reached out to Jeff Lowe, co-founder of AvFab, who talked to us about their latest King Air 90 interior upgrade offering, the “AvFabulous” package. The package is designed to modernize the older King Air 90 interior to appear like a new C90GT interior.
Lowe noted that when it comes to King Air interior upgrades that typically the only option you can get is to have the same old material recycled. AvFab found this a shame considering the exceptional life cycle of a King Air. Oftentimes, a King Air can be 25+ years old yet still have a lot of usefulness left.
“Isn’t the interior one of the most noticeable parts of the airplane?” commented Lowe. “A passenger doesn’t (necessarily) care for gross weight or avionics. They want to open the door of the airplane and have it look like a brand new GT. This will do it.”
The complete “AvFabulous” package consists of seven key components, which can be mix and matched:
1. Arm Ledge Table System
2. Lateral Tracking Seat Bases
3. Clear View Hidden Headrests
4. Pleated Window Shades
5. Aft Jump Seat Kit
6. Furniture Updates
7. Crew & Passenger Seat Repair
Lowe told us the “backbone” is the arm ledge table system. The original tables in the recessed style are removed and replaced with the much more durable AvFab tables. The new tables have four deeper cup holders that are accessible at all times. Additionally, cosmetics are improved with the new install. The tables come out far easier than the originals and there is also a weight savings to be had. The pictures speak volumes:
Lowe also spoke to us about the benefits of the pleated window shades:
“They’ve really been wildly popular,” said Lowe, “It’s a great look, a modern look. When you put that in the aircraft and the arm ledge table system you have really modernized the cabin.”
The shades are easily adjustable and have a backing to keep the heat out, keeping the cabin cool. They replace polarizers, which Lowe noted tend to have a few drawbacks. You cannot leave them in the fully blocked position in the sun (must be rotated to fully open position at shutdown). Additionally, polarizers have to be replaced from time to time. Pleated window shades do not suffer from this issue.
Lowe told us AvFab has had brokers repeatedly coming and buying kits to put on their aircraft – despite the fact that typically brokers avoid putting additional money into aircraft:
“What is really beneficial (is when you are) trying to sell your airplane and your selling it against every other (older) airplane – they check out the interior and yours looks like a brand new factory model,” said Lowe.
“Brokers are installing the package to create separation from others and its more than paying for itself. Obviously they are having good results and are liking what is happening.”
AvFab’s website can be found here. The company also has a catalog further detailing the “AvFabulous” package (along with additional photos) here. The aircraft in the photos is a 1979 King Air C90.
