Safety cables and shoulder harnesses for an L-2?

[RyanShort1]

I've seen safety cables on the landing gear of an L-2 before but don't know what paperwork was needed or where they came from. I'm also looking to install some shoulder harnesses on an L-2A. If you have information on either of these, please let me know where to look!

[lawheelock]

There is an FAA letter issued a few years ago which allows the installation of shoulder harnesses in older aircraft without much more than a log book entry under the FAA's philosophy that safety enhancing equipment should be encouraged without the requirement of massive paperwork.
I have a copy of that letter in my computer files, but am unable to find it this evening. Perhaps other responders will be able to provide you a copy.
Larry Wheelock BC12D and Stinson 108 and Mooney M20C

[RyanShort1]

There is an FAA letter issued a few years ago which allows the installation of shoulder harnesses in older aircraft without much more than a log book entry under the FAA's philosophy that safety enhancing equipment should be encouraged without the requirement of massive paperwork.
I have a copy of that letter in my computer files, but am unable to find it this evening. Perhaps other responders will be able to provide you a copy.
Larry Wheelock BC12D and Stinson 108 and Mooney M20C

I'm familiar with the letter. Guess I'm more interested in what folks have chosen to install...

[n6346m]

Ryan,
I'll try to take some pictures of my installation. It attaches to the seat frame. No tools needed to install. Mine came with the airplane for the front seat only. My airplane doesn't have a swivel back seat, it had been replaced by using another front seat. I had a matching harness made for that seat as well and it was pretty easy and inexpensive, If you have the swivel seat I don't know if what I have will work for it.

Bob Picard
N48923 Taylorcraft L-2B Skis/Wheels
N6346M Stinson 108-3 Floats/Skis/Wheels
Anchor Point, Alaska

[RyanShort1]

So I found out where the safety cables we had on the old Taylorcraft I used to fly were from: http://www.fadodge.com/safety-cables-for-mlg-std/ but I need to figure out how they did the approval for them. Wonder if they 337d it or had some sort of field approval?

[astjp2]

Ryan,
I'll try to take some pictures of my installation. It attaches to the seat frame. No tools needed to install. Mine came with the airplane for the front seat only. My airplane doesn't have a swivel back seat, it had been replaced by using another front seat. I had a matching harness made for that seat as well and it was pretty easy and inexpensive, If you have the swivel seat I don't know if what I have will work for it.

Bob Picard
N48923 Taylorcraft L-2B Skis/Wheels
N6346M Stinson 108-3 Floats/Skis/Wheels
Anchor Point, Alaska

Are they mounted above your shoulders? If not you need to move them. If you get in a wreck and they are too low, you will get spinal compression.

[astjp2]

So I found out where the safety cables we had on the old Taylorcraft I used to fly were from: http://www.fadodge.com/safety-cables-for-mlg-std/ but I need to figure out how they did the approval for them. Wonder if they 337d it or had some sort of field approval?

Why do you need approval for those? Just put them on and fly it. It is normal equipment.

[Guest]

Tim, Ryan,

They are Piper cables that I see in the link.

But I am wondering if in fact L2's had or even needed safety cables.

Isn't the bungee assembly extension mechanically limited by the way it's made?

Or am I remembering it wrong?

I only worked on a handful of them.

Dave

[sully]

Attached to a welded tab on upper structure.

[astjp2]

Attached to a welded tab on upper structure.

that welded tap would have to have a 337, if you just wrap the harness around the tube, its a logbook. that depends on if that tab is original, if not, it needs paperwork because it was welded.

[LostnSpace]

Isn't there something about not putting the load in the center of the tube also, I know on mine I was told to put it at one corner of the other, I put it at both ends

[Ragwing nut]

there is no need for saftey cables. the 2 halves have a bolt in the slide tube.

[RyanShort1]

there is no need for saftey cables. the 2 halves have a bolt in the slide tube.

Can we agree to disagree??? This was about a decade ago and was why a certain aircraft I used to fly had them installed. I wasn't on board when this happened.

[PA1195]

I can't speak with experience regarding Taylorcraft gear, but can regarding PA-11, 12, 18 with similar bungee and maybe added shock absorbing elements. Especially the -11 with no shock absorber. Just a piece of leather plug at the end of the bungee travel before the attachment hardware goes into shear test.

Safety cables of metal or synthetic non-stretch line can save the day. If the weak point is a shear susceptible fastener or cords then bracket that with a backup. Or experiment to see what loads will create a failure.

Gary

[Guest]

Can we agree to disagree??? This was about a decade ago and was why a certain aircraft I used to fly had them installed. I wasn't on board when this happened.

Eek, that, hurt (referring to the picture).

Seems like the system would have been designed to handle the load when the bungee broke.

Makes one wonder about the condition of the slides and if they ever got inspected for damage, wear or proper assembly.

Certainly a safety cable would have been a nice thing to have.

I have landing gear snare cables on my Champ, not required but a good idea.

Dave