Bennett Posted August 7, 2013 Report Posted August 7, 2013 Did anyone else notice that AmSafe didn't have a booth at Oshkosh? Or at least I couldn't find one. Still wanting airbags for my '83 J, but I am losing hope that I will ever get them
aviatoreb Posted August 7, 2013 Report Posted August 7, 2013 I too and very very interested - for my m20k
Piloto Posted August 7, 2013 Report Posted August 7, 2013 I gave up on airbags for planes when I found out that they are not used in racing cars. The impact velocity of a racing car is similar or greater than on a GA plane. Talking to a NASCAR pilot he indicated that an airbag will not provide enough protection over 60mph. Best protection is provided with a four point seat belt a good solid cage and the helmet. I am strong believer on accident prevention rather than survival. The outcome of a prevented accident is always healthy. While the survival from one involves injuries. José
Bennett Posted August 7, 2013 Author Report Posted August 7, 2013 I too, am a great believer in four and five point harnesses (which I installed in other aircraft). Too bad we can't do four point harnesses in our Mooneys. . So far as airbags are concerned, I survived, without injury, a head on crash between my Ford Escape, and a snowplow. The closing speed between us was between 70 and 75 mph. We were both sliding on "black ice" , both going downhill into a depression in the highway, and neither vehicle was going much over 35 mph. My airbags went off, then deflated, and I and my passenger opened one of the three doors that still worked, and waited with the (unhurt) snow plow operator for wreckers to pull the vehicles apart, and to clear the road. Since this was a head on, only the airbags in front of me, and in front of my passenger went off. The stop was so abrupt and short that my passenger's necklace snapped, even with a light drop. You would not believe what the front end of the Escape looked like, Yes, I want airbags for my Mooney! I have driven a NASCAR race car at a NASCAR training school, and while the sheet metal is downright flimsy, the interior roll cage, the seat construction, the neck restraints, helmets, five point harnesses, etc. are impressive, but these vehicles are designed to protect their drivers in high speed crashes, and the driver is virtually immobilized by all this safety gear. I really needed my spotter talking to me on radio just to be aware of cars around me, as it is very difficult to move your head or body when at speed. I wouldn't want, or be able, to fly with these restraints, so it is hard to compare safety issues between Mooneys and NASCAR (Nationwide or Sprint) cars.
Jerry 5TJ Posted August 7, 2013 Report Posted August 7, 2013 We installed AmSafe belts/bags this past May 2013. They're still available. Have not used them yet and hope never to do. They are unobtrusive in their normal, deflated state.
aviatoreb Posted August 7, 2013 Report Posted August 7, 2013 We installed AmSafe belts/bags this past May 2013. They're still available. Have not used them yet and hope never to do. They are unobtrusive in their normal, deflated state. How did you do it? There is no STC for the M20C, right? Was it a field approval?
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