3 Point Seatbelts

[GeorgePerry]

Does anyone have any familiarity with Alpha Aviations 3 Pt Seatbelt update kit for older Mooneys?

http://www.alpha-aviation.com/page18.html

[MikeinFL]

I have them and am very happy!!

[alun]

ditto!

[GeorgePerry]

Installed the Alpha aviation 3 pt belts this weekend.  REALLY nice product, albeit a bit pricey.  $400+ for two front belts w/ shoulder harness.  The new belts have a very car-like push button release that feels well made and solid.  I like it because it gets the buckle part of the belt down by the side next to your hip, vice right in the middle of your belly like the old "airline" style lapbelt buckles did.

Acutally I feel a bit guilty for not installing them sooner.  IMHO safety items should be the absolute first thing an owner should install, fix or update.  At lease now if I ever come to an abrupt stop for whatever reason at least my face won't become a perminent part of the instument panel.

Interesting FAA safety article worth reading if anyone is contemplating the upgrade.

http://www.faa.gov/pilots/safety/pilotsafetybrochures/media/seatbelt_web2.pdf

"Using shoulder belts in small aircraft would reduce major injuries by 88% and fatalities by 20%."

[MikeinFL]

Has anyone come across a kit for shoulder belts for the rear seats?

[Ned Gravel]

I have the Alpha ones too.  Great investment in safety IMO.

[GeorgePerry]

Here are some pictures of the guts of the install.  Even though this modificaiton falls under the "minor change" catagory an A&P is required to perform the install, but an owner can assist.  Two major parts to the process...The lap belts and the shoulder harness.  The lap belts are easy.  Remove the seats, unbolt the old belts and bolt on the new ones...Wall-la! (I did that part)

The shoulder harness attachment is another story.  There is not much room between the fuselage skin and the vertical steel bar that the attachment bracket mounts to.  My mech had to perform alittle gentle persuasion to get the green attachment loop around the bar.  He had the right tools to make it go into place without too much fuss.  Co-pilot side was easy.  Pilot side was a bit harder but in the end the parts went on fine and really add to the modern look of my new interior and the safety of having 3 point belts.

 

[Vref]

Hello,

To reinitiate, did somebody install a 3point for the rear seats? I am having an early 1978 M20J without this feature
It seems not logic that the front crew can be modified ..while the back seats are left ...

tnx

[Ned Gravel]

Vref:

I think the issue of three point installations in earlier model Mooneys is the position of the steel cage members.  They may not be situated to allow this, something which was corrected in later designs (I think). 

From an engineering standpoint, the shoulder belt needs to be afixed to an attach point that can actually take the load at that point in the event of repid deceleration of the airframe.  I am not certain that the steel cage provides any such points behind and above the rear seats of earlier model Mooneys.

(But I have been known to be wrong before)

[Sven]

Our mechanic said something like the outer skin needing to be cut in order to install these. I have a D model (basically a C model) and I'm wondering if this is true or if he's thinking about another kind of belt. I'd love to add these to my plane.

[DaV8or]

Quote: Sven

Our mechanic said something like the outer skin needing to be cut in order to install these. I have a D model (basically a C model) and I'm wondering if this is true or if he's thinking about another kind of belt. I'd love to add these to my plane.

[DaV8or]

Quote: GeorgePerry

Here are some pictures of the guts of the install.  Even though this modificaiton falls under the "minor change" catagory an A&P is required to perform the install, but an owner can assist.

[KLRDMD]

Quote: DaV8or

[N6936V]

What about rear seat, 3-point belts.  How do you attach them to the top frame?

[Vref]

Quote: N6936V

What about rear seat, 3-point belts.  How do you attach them to the top frame?

[GeorgePerry]

Quote: DaV8or

Question for George, or anyone else who has done this install, How do you tighten the bolt and get access to the nut in back with the plastic surrounds on?? The instructions say to leave the surrounds loose until you do the final tighten, but is there really enough room to get a wrench behind without breaking the surround? I bought my belts at Oshkosh, but haven't put them in yet.

[N6936V]

I just installed an M20R interior in my 1975 M20F.  The many mods took a whole year; I could have bought a new car instead - ouch!  Will post some pix when I get around to figure out how.  Looks quite nice.

Nicholas

[carusoam]

Nicholas,

I look forward to your pictures.  Consider using the photo galleries option at the top of the page.  It is much easier than trying to load any other way.....

Best regards,

-a-

[Clarence]

I have three point belts in the back of my "E" model.  I fashioned brackets from 0.090" 4130 steel, attached it to existing structure in the airframe and installed TSO'd belts.  While they may not be STC'd, I'll take my chances with the authorities after my kids survive the crash with faces intact.

 

Clarence

[Vref]

Quote: Clarence

I have three point belts in the back of my "E" model.  I fashioned brackets from 0.090" 4130 steel, attached it to existing structure in the airframe and installed TSO'd belts.  While they may not be STC'd, I'll take my chances with the authorities after my kids survive the crash with faces intact.

 

Clarence

[Clarence]

"L"

If you send me an email I'll see if I can find some pictures to go along with a description.

Clarence

clarence@tricityaero.com

[Immelman]

Quote: DaV8or

Question for George, or anyone else who has done this install, How do you tighten the bolt and get access to the nut in back with the plastic surrounds on?? The instructions say to leave the surrounds loose until you do the final tighten, but is there really enough room to get a wrench behind without breaking the surround? I bought my belts at Oshkosh, but haven't put them in yet.