New Belts

[Kerbs]

I installed new seat belts in N96234 this last week. The previous belts were 32yo and the shoulder straps were anchored behind the seat down below the baggage compartment. I ordered a set from Hooker and they are fantastic! Install was easy and I got them up high on the last bar above the headliner/baggage. I used some leather and contact cement to trim them out. Ingress/egress is way easier now with the new belts and I actually have a chance of getting out quickly if I need. If anything looks out of place let me know but wanted to share.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: New Belts

NICE! Really like the leather trim out.

Hank

[M Towsley]

Re: New Belts

Very nice, Stu. Trim looks really good, too. I need to change mine out, soon, and get some shoulder harnesses in. What is that item at the top of the pilot's shoulder harness? How did you determine which ones to buy?

[3Dreaming]

Re: New Belts

Looks like an emergency egress knife to me.

[M Jones]

Re: New Belts

Looks like an emergency egress knife to me.

I had to zoom in on the picture but I think you're right Tom. Nice idea for a place to mount a good knife!

[Kerbs]

Re: New Belts

I was familiar with Hooker Harness name from other applications. My IA recommended them and it seems like they support GA applications well. They are PMA'd and were really easy to install. They are very comfortable and the way they connect the shoulders to the belt is pretty slick, way better than what I had in there before.

As far as the orange thingy, yes it is a emergency knife if I had to cut the belts to get out. Spyderco which makes a great blunt tip serrated blade emergency knife came out with a more affordable line called Byrd. This model is the Cara 2. For under $25, I can't believe how well made and sharp it is. It's a cheaper steel than the spyderco Rescue but I just leave it in the plane so I'm not worried about edge retention. I just have it clipped onto the belt out of the way and it has held on despite my attempts to knock it off with some hard landings. Here's the link to it:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072BSNJ2R/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1