Keep the Skinny Birds Flying Safely

Shoulder harness

Hello, does anyone have any information about adding shoulder harnesses for these little birds? STCs, suppliers, etc?
Thanks! Mark

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Permalink Reply by Andy Gelston on January 29, 2020 at 2:48pm

A FAA memo went out about 2004 with regards to shoulder harness installations: if they follow best practices, they don’t need an STC. Whether you pay extra for the TSO’d harness or just get what’s on special at WagAero, is up to you. I installed the Y type shoulder harnesses in 41VT with the slotted metal bottoms that slide onto the lap belt “tongue” before inserting it into the clasp. I attached their top ends to the overhead diagonal tubes, where they come together in a V and are welded to the center tube, above the rear stick and the baggage compartment/aft bulkhead. The aft shoulder harness, when not in use goes on the hat shelf, or down into the baggage sling. The forward harness is routed through the tubing triangle, by the upper left corner of the windshield, to keep it out of the way when not in use. If this all jibber-jabber, as Mr. T would say, I could take pictures. I haven’t even tried to explain how I wrap the upper end of the belt around the diagonal tubes and join them with the 2 slot slider that usually comes with the harness set...

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Permalink Reply by Mark Shayne on January 29, 2020 at 6:47pm

Thanks Andy, I think if I was at the hanger looking at the overhead tubing it would make perfect sense. I’ve often thought about where my face is in relation to the top of the panel if things got ugly. Let alone my trusting passenger..I’ll get some ordered up and I’m sure some photos would help. No point in reinventing the wheel or wing in this case.

Cheers!

Mark