should harnesses

[Tom Garrick]

Re: should harnesses

Carl, Which seatbelt did you buy from a/c Spruce? I need two sets.

Tom

[KewFlyer]

Re: should harnesses

OK. I'm convinced. Now. Which shoulder harness? The one from the factory, which one from A/C Spruce, or.... [Since the headliner is off... this is the time to do it]. Advice is welcome. Thanks
Ralph

[Tom Garrick]

Re: should harnesses

If you buy one from the factory you risk buying someone elses harnesses, like mine the ones I could not get returned. The ones Harry gave me were old belts without ID tags on them. They can not be used on any airplane.

Disturbed Tom (In more ways than one)

[flyguy]

Re: should harnesses

Ralph-- someone will likely tell us that they can't be legally installed, but I am real happy with the wide military belts like the ones available from Wag Aero. I bring this up because they have at least 3 things going for them. The shoulder straps have metal fittings at the bottom, the lap belt is very wide and thus distributes any load well, and they cost less than most of the other systems the last time I checked.
Well, 4 things, they are very heavy duty looking and I expect it is real.
I have never had an AI question them except to say it would be nice if I got some with a later date on them.
Darryl

[robbie]

Re: should harnesses

Thanks for all the input guys, have ordered a set from wag-Aero and my I/A
say lets get them install, Its only a log book entry.

[M Jones]

Re: should harnesses

Robbie,

I'm late with this, but wanted to let you know I now have the Wag-Aero harnesses as well. I dug through my aircraft records and found that the seat belts that were installed by my friend before I bought the T from him were purchased from Wag in '94. I just had to buy the harnesses that are made to go with the belts. (Don't know why he did just get them at the same time, or why I waited this long to add them myself). I landed at their airstrip last week, walked in and bought the harnesses, walked back out and installed them in about 20 minutes without tools. Not having a headliner made it real easy. Log book entry is done...

[KewFlyer]

Re: should harnesses

Group: I'm looking at Wag's book on harnesses. Which model harness is the one recomended for our T-crafts... or which model(s) have mebers of the group purchased / installed? Thanks for the help
Ralph

MJones & Robbie: which model did you get? Thanks Ralph
Flyguy: which military model is the one you got? Thanks Ralph

[flyguy]

Re: should harnesses

I have to say that I actually don't know that the mil-style ones I have are from Wag Aero, but they look identical. They were in the plane when I bought it.
In the catalog I have they are listed as H-725-003 for olive green. The last number changes by color. I now see that if you have to buy the shoulder harness separate which will make the cost about the same as the others. Example is listed in catalog just below as H-726-008 also OG. You can also get a crotch strap as I have mentioned H-825 series. Everything available in various colors.
If I was to get new belts, I would buy the mil. ones, even at the same cost.
Darryl

[M Jones]

Re: should harnesses

Group: I'm looking at Wag's book on harnesses. Which model harness is the one recomended for our T-crafts... or which model(s) have mebers of the group purchased / installed? Thanks for the help
Ralph

MJones & Robbie: which model did you get? Thanks Ralph
Flyguy: which military model is the one you got? Thanks Ralph

I had the "H-701-XXX" series seat belts already installed, so I added cat. no. "H-702-209" (silver/grey) harnesses that are made to fit. The combo would be cat. no. "H-858-00X"


Belts (pick your color)

Harness (pick your color)

Combo (pick your color)

[Laz]

Re: should harnesses

How do you like the Y strap Wag harness? Did you attach them to the main cross tube behind your head?

[M Jones]

Re: should harnesses

How do you like the Y strap Wag harness? Did you attach them to the main cross tube behind your head?

I've only gotten about an hour of use with them so far. One thing that will take getting use to is because they attach to the belt at center point, and are sewn together to make a single point upper attachment, they might tend to be an aggravation on the neck because they naturally want to stay close together and rub the skin. I plan to put a piece of sheep skin on each of the four straps around that area. I think they'll be fine. Yes, they do attach to the main cross tube over and behind, and the hardware to wrap them around and attach them to the tube is included.

If I were replacing the belts completly, I'd also look at Hookers, and maybe just a single cross strap, but so far I like these. I also probably like the military style four point attach buckles better that the gliders I've flow have.

[TimHicks]

Re: should harnesses

I put Hooker harnesses in my '46 last year. I'm very happy to finally have the extra protection. But one thing about the harnesses that I don't really like.
The shoulder harnesses are held by the steel tang of the lap belt passing through the steel fitting on the end of the shoulder strap.

It looks like the Wag Aero ones work the same way.
I would prefer that the left shoulder strap and the left lap strap stay together. And that the right shoulder strap would stay attached to the right lap strap. So when I strap in, I only have to pull the assembly from each side around me and buckle together.

Right now, I have a tiny tie-wrap holding both shoulder straps to the tang side of the lap belts. But that means I have to duck my head between the shoulder straps when getting in. Can you visualize what I am describing? Is there a better solution?

[Carl E. Carson]

Re: should harnesses

Tom: Sorry to be so late answering which A/C Spruce harness I bought. I'm still in Arizona for a week or so and don't have access to my invoice for a definite answer. I'll check on it when I get home.

Carl

[magman]

Re: shoulder harnesses

Incidents w/o a shoulder harness tend to be ugly.
I wish I could agree with waltermrich regarding the FAA position.
The FSDO here is very difficult on their install per Field Approval.
Just read AC 43.13-1 (Simplified Instructions) & you'll see WHY.
You almost need a sample fuselage to test near destruction.

In addition the Installing Agency ( A & P, Repair Staion) realizes this is a VERY HIGH liability item.
Fly into a tower in IMC & the Tech guy gets sued because the install was inadequate.


If there is no STC a solution is to use removeable harness.
The harness is then considered just like a hand held radio, chart or lunch.

[N96337]

Re: should harnesses

AC 21-34 gives current information for installation of shoulder harnesses, and AC 23-4 gives current information for testing of the installations.
I've also attached the policy letter on shoulder harnesses...interesting reading for all. It clearly states the criteria that you need to meet to qualify as a minor change.
John