Plating | FAA Mobile Part 145 Interior Repair | Plane Leather Repair

Plating

Restoration and refinishing of aircraft interior metal hardware components — coordinated through approved vendors and reinstalled on-site under FAA Part 145 authorization.

About Plating

Plane Leather Repair provides interior metal hardware restoration under FAA Part 145 authorization, covering removal, coordination of approved plating through qualified vendors, and reinstallation at your facility. Plating services address cosmetic degradation of interior hardware — buckles, handles, bezels, and other metal components — restoring appearance to cabin standards. Existing finishes are matched where plating capabilities permit. All work is documented per Part 145 requirements.

Scope of Services

Plating turnaround is subject to vendor lead times. This should be factored into maintenance window planning during inquiry.

  1. Removal & Preparation

    Hardware components removed and prepared for plating. Condition documented and finish specifications confirmed.

  2. Approved Plating Coordination

    Plating work coordinated through qualified vendors. Finish matching performed within available plating capabilities.

  3. Reinstallation

    Plated components reinstalled at client facility under Part 145 authorization. Fit and finish verified.

Execution Sequence

  1. Component Assessment

    Hardware components assessed on-site. Finish condition documented. Plating scope and finish specification confirmed.

  2. Vendor Coordination & Lead Time

    Plating vendor engaged. Lead time confirmed. Maintenance window planned to account for off-site plating time.

  3. Removal

    Components removed at client facility and prepared for transport to plating vendor.

  4. Plating Execution

    Plating performed by approved vendor to confirmed finish specification.

  5. Reinstallation

    Returned components reinstalled at client facility under Part 145 authorization. Fit and finish verified.

  6. Documentation Return

    Part 145 maintenance documentation completed and returned to operator.

  • Finish Matching

    Existing hardware finishes matched within available plating capabilities. Operators informed of expected tolerance before work is committed.

  • Vendor Coordinated

    Plating is coordinated through approved vendors. Lead times are factored into maintenance window planning at the inquiry stage.

Who This Service Supports

  • Corporate Flight Departments

    Directors of Maintenance and Aviation Managers overseeing one or more corporate aircraft. Primary concern is maintaining aircraft availability and cabin standards without disrupting executive travel schedules. Work is typically approved through the Director of Maintenance and coordinated alongside scheduled inspections or phase checks.

  • Part 135 Charter Operators

    Operators managing revenue-generating aircraft fleets where cabin appearance directly affects client experience and charter rates. Downtime equals lost revenue — mobile on-site service minimizes that exposure by eliminating repositioning and integrating with existing maintenance windows.

  • MRO Facilities

    Fixed repair stations conducting heavy maintenance, inspections, and scheduled service events. Require a certified interior repair subcontractor who can perform compliant work on-site without adding logistical complexity or documentation burden to existing maintenance programs.

  • Private Aircraft Owners

    Owner-operators of business jets and turboprops prioritizing convenience, compliance, and asset preservation. Final vendor decisions are often influenced or approved by a maintenance advisor or Director of Maintenance.

Standalone Service or Part of a Larger Project

Plating can be scheduled as a focused single-service engagement or integrated into a broader cabin refurbishment — whichever fits your maintenance schedule and operational priorities.

As a Standalone Service

Scheduled independently during any available maintenance window — a phase check, annual inspection, or unscheduled hold. Minimal setup, short duration, and no impact to adjacent maintenance work. Appropriate when the interior is otherwise serviceable and targeted restoration is the only requirement.

As Part of a Full Interior Project

Coordinated alongside other interior services — seating, carpet, soft goods, cabinetry — during a scheduled heavy maintenance event or cabin refresh program. A single mobilisation covers multiple scopes, reducing total project cost and keeping the aircraft out of service for the shortest possible time.

Common Questions

Frequently asked questions from Directors of Maintenance, Aviation Managers, and MRO Program Managers.

Submit a Project Inquiry
Can existing hardware finishes be matched?

Finish matching is performed within available plating capabilities. Exact replication depends on the original finish specification and current vendor capability. Operators are informed of expected tolerance before work is committed.

How does vendor lead time affect scheduling?

Plating requires off-site processing time that must be factored into maintenance window planning. Lead times are confirmed at the inquiry stage so the overall project timeline is accurately scoped before scheduling.

Is aircraft repositioning required?

No. Removal and reinstallation are both performed at client facilities within the 350-mile service radius. Only the components travel to the plating vendor — the aircraft does not move.

Is documentation provided?

Yes. Full Part 145 maintenance documentation is completed and returned to the operator upon reinstallation.

What types of hardware are within scope?

Interior metal components including buckles, handles, bezels, and similar hardware. Structural hardware replacement is outside scope.

Request Plating Services

Submit project details to initiate scheduling. FAA-certified mobile service coordinated with your maintenance window. Response within one business day.

Primary Contact
Mark Behory
Certification
FAA Part 145