kerry Posted January 10, 2015 Report Posted January 10, 2015 http://mooneyspace.com/gallery/image/29550-new-long-body-steel-cage/ Has anyone installed a 4 point shoulder harness in a short body using the roll cage as a mounting point from above. Looking at the roll cage it appears that the cross member would be a good place to mount one. Does anyone know how much room there is between the steel tubing that run perpendicular and the above aluminum skin. I removed my rear dome light and noticed the steel tubing that runs parallel has plenty of space between it and the aluminum skin. Quote
GeorgePerry Posted January 10, 2015 Report Posted January 10, 2015 http://mooneyspace.com/topic/334-3-point-seatbelts/?hl=%2Balpha+%2Baviation This link has some pics. It's not hard but does require some patience. Quote
Yetti Posted January 10, 2015 Report Posted January 10, 2015 I think he was asking about 4 point belts, not 3 points belts. I too was wondering the same. My friends Baron has 4 point belts that have a retract reel in the top of the cabin. In a Mooney attaching to the tube above the head would seem to be the same as attaching a 3 point to the side tube. Quote
Yetti Posted January 10, 2015 Report Posted January 10, 2015 Seems like an owner supplied drawing to Hooker Harness http://www.hookerharness.com/aviationcommercial.php a metal strap around the top bar. a minor mod sign off from an A&P might be the ticket. From the hooker harness price list 2” Double adjustable metal to metal seat belt(206 series)$140.00 Additional anchors (per anchor)$4.00 Snap anchors (per anchor)$8.50 2” Shoulder harness, compatible with above belts (H or Y style)$105.00 Quote
scottfromiowa Posted January 10, 2015 Report Posted January 10, 2015 http://mooneyspace.com/gallery/image/29550-new-long-body-steel-cage/ Has anyone installed a 4 point shoulder harness in a short body using the roll cage as a mounting point from above. Looking at the roll cage it appears that the cross member would be a good place to mount one. Does anyone know how much room there is between the steel tubing that run perpendicular and the above aluminum skin. I removed my rear dome light and noticed the steel tubing that runs parallel has plenty of space between it and the aluminum skin. Why? Why a four point vs. a 3-point shoulder harness in a vintage Mooney? Quote
kerry Posted January 10, 2015 Author Report Posted January 10, 2015 I have a 4 point in my experimental. I like the feel of it. I've had past Mooney's with 3 point. Unfortunately my current Mooney only has lap belts. I'm going to install shoulder harness's and I would prefer 4 point. My thought was I could go through the headliner put a strap around the above steel tubing in the roll cage. I would log it as a minor modification. I was wondering if anyone has had their headliner out could tell me how much room between the steel tubing and the aluminum skin. If the tubing is butted tight up against the aluminum skin maybe its not possible. Quote
John Pleisse Posted January 10, 2015 Report Posted January 10, 2015 I brought this up on the Mooney Facebook page. I have a Nascar buddy who owns an Aerostar and he suggested four point harnesses are not the thing to get anymore. There is data in the racing community suggesting in accidents, occupants in 4 point harnesses are "submarining" under the lap belt and that 3 point harnesses are just as good as 4 and 5 point systems are now the thing to get. Can anyone confirm this notion/data? Likewise, a 3 point installation is a 2-3 hour job with paperwork. 4 point can be several hours to days in labor (drop the headliner, rivet and bolt work). In a 6G crash, nothing is gonna help you, but my interest is not having my spine severed in an otherwise, very survivable off airport, low G crash landing. I just had Alpha 3 points installed in the Bonanza. It was a tricky STC that frustrated my mechanic to the point he called the STC holder. You will also have a drill hole on the outside left fuselage. In the Mooney (J), I bought modern 3 points from the factory. The MAC stuff is real high quality and there is no STC to deal with. Worth the $400 bucks. Quote
scottfromiowa Posted January 10, 2015 Report Posted January 10, 2015 You would rather have those belts hanging down when you enter/exit than an approved shoulder harness installation because of the feel? O.K. Have fun. Quote
N601RX Posted January 10, 2015 Report Posted January 10, 2015 There is a strip of a strip of aluminum angle rivet to the aluminum skin. The other leg of the angle comes down beside the tube and is screwed to it. You would have to cut a notch in the aluminum angle to get the belt around the tube. Quote
kerry Posted January 10, 2015 Author Report Posted January 10, 2015 There is a strip of a strip of aluminum angle rivet to the aluminum skin. The other leg of the angle comes down beside the tube and is screwed to it. You would have to cut a notch in the aluminum angle to get the belt around the tube. Good info. Thanks Quote
carusoam Posted January 10, 2015 Report Posted January 10, 2015 Is the roll cage hoop far enough back to give proper support? Airbags are in vogue nowadays...(almost...) Best regards, -a- Quote
kerry Posted January 10, 2015 Author Report Posted January 10, 2015 I'll probably go 3 point. If cutting is involved then I can't do the minor modification. Quote
Marauder Posted January 10, 2015 Report Posted January 10, 2015 I'll probably go 3 point. If cutting is involved then I can't do the minor modification. Do you know if an inertial wheel shoulder belt system is available? Quote
jetdriven Posted January 10, 2015 Report Posted January 10, 2015 Inertial reels and fixed shoulder straps are available 1 Quote
GeorgePerry Posted January 11, 2015 Report Posted January 11, 2015 I'll probably go 3 point. If cutting is involved then I can't do the minor modification. No cutting except for trimming interior panels to make room for the mount. Not the best pics but you get the idea Quote
jetdriven Posted January 11, 2015 Report Posted January 11, 2015 That FAA letter basically says all shoulder harnesses are a minor alteration because a clamped on point is better than no shoulder harness. Of course welding is a different category. Quote
chrisk Posted January 11, 2015 Report Posted January 11, 2015 In my previous plane, I had a 4 point harness. I absolutely hated it, to the point of just using the lap belt. Part of the problem is the harness was not the inertial type and really restricted movement if it was tight enough to do any good. Anyway, when I got my 231, I replace the fixed belts with inertial belts. I am quite happy with them, they fit well, and don't overly restrict movement. Quote
Marauder Posted January 11, 2015 Report Posted January 11, 2015 In my previous plane, I had a 4 point harness. I absolutely hated it, to the point of just using the lap belt. Part of the problem is the harness was not the inertial type and really restricted movement if it was tight enough to do any good. Anyway, when I got my 231, I replace the fixed belts with inertial belts. I am quite happy with them, they fit well, and don't overly restrict movement. Do you recall where you got them? Quote
chrisk Posted January 11, 2015 Report Posted January 11, 2015 Do you recall where you got them? Some one was selling several on ebay. From what I could tell, they are the same as Alpha Aviation sells, but quite a bit less money. I ordered 2 for the front. Then a month later I was thinking I should get more for the back. They were sold out. 1 Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.