I have received several emails and calls about my shoulder harness
installation. It worked as it should have, and I didn’t get even a
bump or scrape anywhere.
We purchased two 3” X 3” phenolic (sp?) blocks from Lancair,
then cut out a square of the material from the front side of the seat (leaving
the back skin intact) and stuck them in dead center in the seat back at the
appropriate height so that the harness does not to interfere with the canopy locking
tube. Then we mounted the inertia reel to that block with an AN bolt,
simple. I did not feel the bolt head in my back (guess I’m not a fairy
princess who can feel a pea under a mattress, GRIN) and am sure glad it was
there.
I would caution all to read this FAA Advisory Circular: FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 21-34, Shoulder Harness-Safety
Belt Installations
What some may not know is that with the way most (including some
certified planes) choose to mount the shoulder harness (on the overhead) you will
have a tendency to crush your vertebrae on impact. Your body will bend
forward while the shoulder harness stays put, placing an unusual force on your
back. I’m sure glad I listened to a fellow Lancair Builder who
forwarded this circular to me. He surely saved me much grief!
Anyone thinking of using a single across the chest shoulder harness should
re-think his system, as I would have suffered severe injury had I a system like
this.
I am taking pictures today of the installation, and will forward them to Don Barnes for inclusion with the
“building tips” on his web site. For those pilots who have called
and asked me, that I told to check his site, I thought it was already there,
stay tuned.
My shoulder harness manufacturer and hardware supplier was: http://www.hookerharness.com Ask for Scott,
he’s the owner, and tell him you want the 5 point quick release system
that Ron Brice used (no commission to me, I just want everyone to be safe). I’ll
also take a picture of how I fastened the crotch belt fixture. Once you
get used to a crotch strap, you won’t wish to be without one, as it makes
the buckle stay in place efficiently, right where you want it if you have a
mishap.
I found a supplier of colored belt material that perfectly matched my
interior color in Southern Oregon, but I have lost the contact. They shipped
the colored webbing to Scott, so maybe he will remember who they are.
Scott has a few colors, but these folks (sorry about the teaser, wish I could
remember who they were) have a very large collection of different colors.
Scott will not sell hardware alone (like inertia reels, etc), he will
only sell hardware if he sews the belts himself. Listen to him, this is
important. He supplies NASCAR drivers, and lots of professional aerobatic
pilots their systems, and like you, is a professional who cares.
Be safe,
Ron