J-bar versus Seatbelts

[omega708]

Anyone else have problems accidentally removing their seatbelt when putting the gear down on a manual gear Mooney?  Probably 30% of the time I manage to catch the seatbelt latch when extending my landing gear, which unhooks the seatbelt. 

 

I think I could remedy the problem if I could find some belts that are about 2 inches longer so that the clasp would be up closer to my waist instead of sitting on my hip. 

[triple8s]

I had the same problem and re adjusted the belts using the flat piece near the attach point its a small flat steel piece where the belt loops through and makes adjustment. There is one on each side of my seat. I would like to change out the whole thing for a restraint with a shoulder belt just haven't looked into that yet.

[Immelman]

The prior owners of my plane fashioned a fabric cover that would slide over the belt hardware and velcro in place. I want to remove my belt quickly in the event of a forced landing so I removed that, and as long as I am careful with the gear I seldom catch the belt release. I brief passengers on this possibilty.

[danb35]

I have this happen too.  Alpha Aviation has seatbelts with a pushbutton release, but I haven't thought it was worth replacing them.

[Shadrach]

I've never had this happen or even heard of it.  What's the scenario?

[flhelo]

I had this happen a few times with the seat belts that came with it. I got the Amsafe w/ shoulder harness. No more problems. It seems like the piece that goes on the inside is a little longer than the original ones I pulled out.

[danb35]

Quote: Shadrach

I've never had this happen or even heard of it.  What's the scenario?

[triple8s]

If one were to aquire restraint system from a later model Mooney is an approval/stc/337 or some red tape required for the change?

[triple8s]

I have really been wanting a shoulder belt, I hear lots of the injuries from off field landing are head injuries.

[omega708]

Quote: triple8s

I had the same problem and re adjusted the belts using the flat piece near the attach point its a small flat steel piece where the belt loops through and makes adjustment. There is one on each side of my seat. I would like to change out the whole thing for a restraint with a shoulder belt just haven't looked into that yet.

[scottfromiowa]

I used to have this happen when I was a Noob.  Know now, so I don't do it...Your hands must be big with that Texas cowl   Looks great by the way.

[Shadrach]

Intersting.  My seats are installed with the male ends on the inside (next to the J-bar) of the seats and the buckles on the outside. It would be impossible to unlatch my belts putting the gear down, and nearly impossible when putting the gear up.  How are everyone else's configured?  You may want to swap the positions or your pilot and copilot seats.

[omega708]

Quote: Shadrach

Intersting.  My seats are installed with the male ends on the inside (next to the J-bar) of the seats and the buckles on the outside. It would be impossible to unlatch my belts putting the gear down, and nearly impossible when putting the gear up.  How are everyone else's configured?  You may want to swap the positions or your pilot and copilot seats.

[Shadrach]

Quote: omega708

I'm pretty sure that swapping the positions on my belts would render my shoulder restraints useless...  However, the arrangement of your belts makes quite a bit more sense.

 

The primary issue is that the belt that is sewn into the female end is a little too short.  The benfit of that is that the should strap is anchored low which is best for safety, but only if you can keep the belt buckled.  

[danb35]

Quote: triple8s

I have really been wanting a shoulder belt, I hear lots of the injuries from off field landing are head injuries.

[N601RX]

Quote: triple8s

If one were to aquire restraint system from a later model Mooney is an approval/stc/337 or some red tape required for the change?

[Mac201]

Quote: N601RX

The FAA has tried to make this easier to install shoulder belts.  It appears they would perfer that you have shoulder harnesses over just a lap belt.  Search for FAA Policy Satement  ACE-00-23.561.01.  It outlines several instances where it can be done with just a log book entry.

[Mac201]

The above comment was mine (nels) not Mac201's. Not sure what is going on with the forum program?

[Shadrach]

nels, you need to log out and log back in... look in the upper right hand corner to ensure that your logged in under the proper user name. This forum has some existing bugs that we just live with; the situation you experienced is one of them.

[nels]

Quote: Shadrach

nels, you need to log out and log back in... look in the upper right hand corner to ensure that your logged in under the proper user name. This forum has some existing bugs that we just live with; the situation you experienced is one of them.

[Shadrach]

Looks like it did!

[aschardt]

When I purchased my Mooney, it had sheepskin covers on the seats making them wider than normal.  I unlatched mine and the passenger seatbelt 70-80 percent of the time putting the gear down.  Very distracting in the pattern.  When I redid the seats i actually had them narrowed up an inch right where the seatbelt comes around them.  Now there is plenty of room.  Haven't had a problem since.  -Aaron

[pjsny78]

I do not have a J bar in my Mooney but I just want to point something out. My problem is that every time I unbuckle my seatbelt it gets caught in the trim wheel and prevents my seat from sliding back. It is such a nuisance.

So even Mooney’s without a J-bar suffer from seatbelt ergonomic issues.

[Hank]

I can't comment on J-bar difficulties, but can say this:

My seatbelts both have the male end on the inside, with the buckle on the outside strap. They are mounted to the seat itself, unlike the Cessna I learned in where sliding the seat forward after buckling up could cause shortage of breath.

The belts meet approximately in the middle of my [~180 lb] body. They were replaced sometime in the 37 years between when she left the factory and when I acquired her; time, owner and shop have not been investigated. I do not have a problem with the unbuckled male end catching in the trim wheel, because they are long enough to slide the seat all the way back [touching the back seat; gotta love the short-bodies!] and the metal tab is still in front of the wheel.

[omega708]

I have a feeling that my issue is due to the seatbelts that were installed when the previous owner added the shoulder strap.  For obvious reasons, the shoulder strap needs to attach near your hip, in this case, its just too low on my hip.  I haven't been to the hangar in 2-3 days, but plan on checking to see if the belt can be adjusted tomorrow or Wednesday.