Shoulder Harness

[Dave]

I would like to install a set shoulder harness in my BC12-D. Is there an STC for this or other advice as to how this can be accomplished.
Dave

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Shoulder Harness

It can be done on a log book entry only. Call Hooker Harness for your belts

Mike

[astjp2]

Re: Shoulder Harness

Make sure that you get the ones without the loops, if you have to get out in a hurry, you may get stuck

Tim

[Dick Smith]

Re: Shoulder Harness

Steer away from the loop style shoulder harness...that's very good advice, ESPECIALLY ON FLOATS, if you get up side down in the water, every fraction of a second counts, when it comes to extracting your passenger if you have one and/or yourself. Getting "chicken-winged" can ruin everything. Dick

[mulwyk]

Re: Shoulder Harness

Dick, Tim:

Loops? What's that mean, loops? Please explain.

I have a shoulder harness set that are a single belt looped around the behind-the-shoulder tube, passing through the headliner, to a double belt (looped throught the single belt) that goes over the shoulders, and then connects to the lap belts with loops.

I seem to have lots of loops, yet it seems like the whole setup releases quickly. Am I in trouble in case of a fire or water landing or weak bladder emergency?

[astjp2]

Re: Shoulder Harness

I meant the loops that connect to the lap belt, a couple of people that I know in alaska had them and they had a hard time getting out when they needed to. They now have the metal clips that slip over the male part of the buckle before it attaches to the female. Sorry for the confusion.

Tim N29787

[mulwyk]

Re: Shoulder Harness

OK, I get it. Thanks Tim.

The metal buckle type releases everything instantly. A good design.

The "loop" type (that I have) requires a shrugging motion to get it off your shoulders. In a panic situation, or if you're upside down, it would give one the unpleasant feeling of being trapped.

I don't know if I'll replace my belts, but it's something to be aware of!

[hangarb7]

Re: Shoulder Harness

I have shoulder harnesses attached to the rear cross tube that were done by the original owner of N44057. He claimed to be the first, way back to do it by 337.

I can make copies of the 337 and the pictures of the original install done for the 337 if anyone wants them. PM me.

Jack D
'46 BC12D

[N74DV]

Re: Shoulder Harness

I would love some pics and a picture of the 337 would be great too! We are about to do this to our '46.

I'll PM you with my email address

[Pearson]

Re: Shoulder Harness

Here is a pdf file that specifies when you need a 337 to install shoulder harnesses and when you don't.

[Dick Smith]

Re: Shoulder Harness consideration

Bob, astjp2 pretty much said it all. I used to have the "loop-type" shoulder harness and then switched to the metallic-end-fitting type which gives a "breakaway" effect when you release the seatbelt buckle. I wouldn't suggest you go without a shoulder harness, if you are using the loop-type, but I really feel the other style offers a substantial increase in ease of escape if it's ever required. Also, I find it's just plain easier and faster getting in and out of the breakaway belt/harness while wearing the cold wx gear we use during normal operations. For what it's worth. Dick

[alwaysoar]

Re: Shoulder Harness

The hookers can be installed with a log book entry only. There is a thread on this.

[NY86]

Re: Shoulder Harness

The shoulder belts with the metal tabs that slide over the lap belt buckle are, interestingly enough, known as "seaplane buckles"...

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Shoulder Harness

Refer to AC 43 for the correct method, YES Taylorcraft is no 337, log entry only ( usually) hook them to the upper carry through at the rear spar OR back at the next fuselage section top outer cluster. ala F-19. The "loop" thing was used by the factory as a cost saving thing.... Theya re no good.
AND DO NOT ahve the harness go up over your shoulders and down to the cross tube at your shoulder blades, THAT could break your back under impact.... There are Aerobatic harness and crash restraint harness know the difference! Quick release, out of the way is the way to go.

[VictorBravo]

Re: Shoulder Harness

There's a lot to be said for the old-school military lever type. They're strong as hell, and when you flip that lever everything comes apart easily. I suspect that there is a very large amount of experience they had with developing those buckles with people having to leave an airplane under stressful circumstances. Finding a set of old military belts and shoulder harnesses and sending them in to Hooker or another approved re-webbing place may be less expensive than a new harness. My airplane did not come with a military style system but it's a nice one anyway. The shoulder straps are wrapped around the rear upper cabin cross tube (the rear spar carru-thru) using an over-under buckle. They should be visible in some of the skylight photos on my page in the Gallery.