M20F-1968 Posted January 31, 2019 Report Share Posted January 31, 2019 I guess I'm not alive if i don't keep finding projects to work on....... I am looking to revise the pilot and copilot seat belts in my F. As you manual gear guys know, sometimes the seat belt buckle opens when putting the gear down (Gets hit by rgt thumb while moving the J bar). I address this problem by shortening the belt with the buckle by about 2". That fixed the problem most of the time, but I am looking for a 100% fix. I want to re-web my belts using the new tear-drop shaped Amsafe belt buckles and connectors used currently on airliners. These belts open with a 90 degree movement of the buckle cover (not 20-30 degrees as in the belts I have). Thus, the problem will be completely eliminated. I have belts with retraction reels from a 1998 Ovation. They too are Amsafe belts and buckles, but an older style not used any more. I spoke with a DER who can help with the certification, but he needs data on the Amsafe buckles and connectors of the ones I am currently using and the new ones that I will be using, so a seat belt shop can make the belts and the DER can approve them based on the data showing they are equivalent from an engineering and load factor standpoint. Anyone here with information that can be helpful in this process. The new belts can be re-webbed for about $170 each. I have the hardware. Just need data and paperwork. Also, anyone know of a DER I could consult with? Any assistance to make the project easier is appreciated. Yeah, I know I could just turn the buckle over, but that does not produce as elegant a result as doing a bunch of extra work. John Breda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_elliott Posted January 31, 2019 Report Share Posted January 31, 2019 John, you probably have enough parts from ovations to hang an actuator and gear switch on your F 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsxrpilot Posted January 31, 2019 Report Share Posted January 31, 2019 6 minutes ago, mike_elliott said: John, you probably have enough parts from ovations to hang an actuator and gear switch on your F But that would ruin one of the best F's in the entire fleet. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M20F-1968 Posted January 31, 2019 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2019 7 minutes ago, mike_elliott said: John, you probably have enough parts from ovations to hang an actuator and gear switch on your F Doing it the hard way keeps me out of trouble. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carusoam Posted January 31, 2019 Report Share Posted January 31, 2019 The best F would get some of those fancy airbag seat belts... I know a guy with a Rocket that has them... Would make for a great project! Best regards, -a- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SantosDumont Posted January 31, 2019 Report Share Posted January 31, 2019 After I ripped my finger open on final for the 3rd time, bleeding profusely while trying to land the plane, I decided that the buckle latch had to go. I changed out the pilot side belt with the automotive style belt. http://alphaaviation.com/mooney-m20-a-thru-k-front-fixed-strap/ It is 100x better now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_elliott Posted January 31, 2019 Report Share Posted January 31, 2019 10 hours ago, gsxrpilot said: But that would ruin one of the best F's in the entire fleet. Yea, John would have to get in touch with the reaper for sure. Since I would be responsible for the dereliction of his plane, I guess I could offer up to 10K for the ruined mess to help clear my conscious, and keep it around to remind me not to mislead others into the 70's again... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_elliott Posted January 31, 2019 Report Share Posted January 31, 2019 10 hours ago, M20F-1968 said: Doing it the hard way keeps me out of trouble. John ...and keeps your Johnson arm practiced Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orionflt Posted January 31, 2019 Report Share Posted January 31, 2019 7 hours ago, SantosDumont said: After I ripped my finger open on final for the 3rd time, bleeding profusely while trying to land the plane, I decided that the buckle latch had to go. I changed out the pilot side belt with the automotive style belt. http://alphaaviation.com/mooney-m20-a-thru-k-front-fixed-strap/ It is 100x better now. I did the same thing, they are positioned better but still are not 100%. the original seatbelts for the Jbar buckled in the center, this does not work when you add the shoulder harness. Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RLCarter Posted January 31, 2019 Report Share Posted January 31, 2019 The push button style buckle is the way to go with a J-bars, but with very little practice/thought you can swing the bar without leaving any DNA or undoing a buckle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carusoam Posted January 31, 2019 Report Share Posted January 31, 2019 Proof that distraction effects some pretty high level brains... everyone knows... 1) flying the Traffic pattern is a pretty busy cognitive time... 2) The first sign of weakness comes with the inability to report positions in a standard way. 3) The next sign is one one of the gumps checks gets omitted, or something got left off. 4) The third sign... your seatbelt is unlatched, again... (ugh!) 5) At least you know your gear is down, by the red fluid running down your arm... and the green light on the instrument panel... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yetti Posted February 1, 2019 Report Share Posted February 1, 2019 I have never pushed the red button on the new style buckles when reaching up to flip the switch down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RLCarter Posted February 1, 2019 Report Share Posted February 1, 2019 41 minutes ago, Yetti said: I have never pushed the red button on the new style buckles when reaching up to flip the switch down. Damn, your good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yetti Posted February 1, 2019 Report Share Posted February 1, 2019 19 hours ago, RLCarter said: Damn, your good Proper equipment for the job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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