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Date: Thu, 27 Dec 2012 09:54:19 -0500
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Subject: Re: [LML] Seat Belt update Legacy
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From: Richard Ogg <rogg@aol.com>
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Where is the sixth point

Sent from ME MYSELF and I


On Dec 26, 2012, at 6:58 PM, Paul Miller <pjdmiller@gmail.com> wrote:

> I made a safety and comfort upgrade with my Legacy recently and installed 6=
-point Simpson belts.  Here are the details and a few things to consider bas=
ed on input from safety expert Butch Stevens of Simpson who supplied the new=
 belts:
>=20
> 1) I removed the inertial reels based on Butch's recommendation because re=
els are not reliable in high-G impacts.   I also shortened the shoulder stra=
ps and bolted them behind the seats.   Belts stretch 15% in an accident so i=
f you want maximum protection from panel impact, remove the long straps from=
 the roof and shorten them as much as possible.
>=20
> 2) These Simpson belts and hardware are rated to 14,000 pounds.   Testing s=
hows that most 3,000 lb rated belts don't make that figure.   Butch's Citabr=
ia belts only tested to 1800lb before failure.   Original hardware on our TB=
M 700s failed at 600lb before we complained and an AD came out on the French=
 hardware.  Butch's tests on Hooker failed at less than 3,000lb.
>=20
> 3) Belts lose 50% of their strength in two years from sunlight exposure.
>=20
> 4) High G pullups and crashes without the 6-points (crotch straps) often f=
ind the pilot squeezed down near the rudder pedals because they slide undern=
eath the lap belts.  You must have the 6 points to avoid this problem.
>=20
> I installed the crotch straps to the same mounting point with the lap belt=
s.  I don't believe the mounting location of the lap belt on the center cons=
ole will hold 3,000 lbs from what I saw on the Legacy so I will have to revi=
ew that at a later date.  I believe the hard point on the seat back and the f=
uselage will probably hold. I was thinking maybe of bonding an attach point t=
o the rear spar but I have no data yet on how that might work for the crotch=
 straps.
>=20
> The incremental cost was low for me.  I sold the old hardware, TSO'd belts=
 and reels on ebay for $250 to a Alaska pilot.  This setup from Simpson is a=
vailable for $299 which is inexpensive for the high quality and ability to h=
andle higher loads and shocks.
>=20
> =46rom a comfort perspective, many of my flights are cross country and the=
 inertial reels always had me bouncing around the cockpit going through Mont=
ana in the afternoon or in Texas during the summer.  With these hard points,=
 I cinch down and become one with the airplane.  Control is better in turbul=
ence and I feel liked I'm locked in a little tighter.  The setup is comforta=
ble during long flights.
>=20
> Contact me if you'd like more info on how I attached these shoulder straps=
 or if you have data on mounting the other points.
>=20
> Paul
> Spruce Creek
>=20
> <IMG_0171.jpeg>