Shoulder Harness Options
Moderators: GAHorn, Karl Towle, Bruce Fenstermacher
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- Posts: 59
- Joined: Mon May 30, 2011 12:20 am
Shoulder Harness Options
I would like some feedback on options for installing shoulder harnesses in the 170A please. Costs, availability etc. Thanks. Blake In Alabama
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- Posts: 2615
- Joined: Thu Sep 30, 2010 11:35 pm
Re: Shoulder Harness Options
Lots of conversations in past threads about this.
Here is a decent one
http://cessna170.org/forums/viewtopic.p ... er+harness
If you search for "Shoulder Harness", you get a lot of threads with a lot of detail in them.
Here is a decent one
http://cessna170.org/forums/viewtopic.p ... er+harness
If you search for "Shoulder Harness", you get a lot of threads with a lot of detail in them.
- Bruce Fenstermacher
- Posts: 10418
- Joined: Tue Apr 23, 2002 11:24 am
Re: Shoulder Harness Options
From experience in order:
1. Go BAS inertia reel system if you can afford them and I'd try really really hard to afford them.
2. Try to cobble together your own inertia reel system.
3. Install any fixed harness (which might then become the basis of #2 above)
1. Go BAS inertia reel system if you can afford them and I'd try really really hard to afford them.
2. Try to cobble together your own inertia reel system.
3. Install any fixed harness (which might then become the basis of #2 above)
CAUTION - My forum posts may be worth what you paid for them!
Bruce Fenstermacher, Past President, TIC170A
Email: brucefenster at gmail.com
Bruce Fenstermacher, Past President, TIC170A
Email: brucefenster at gmail.com
- Ryan Smith
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Re: Shoulder Harness Options
Has anybody (or know of anybody who has) installed AmSafe shoulder harnesses? Poking through their site, they have their three-point harnesses STC'd for all Cessna 170 models. I'm not sure if these are the airbags, or simply shoulder harnesses. I would be interested seeing some installed as I am a big fan of their design.
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Re: Shoulder Harness Options
Are the BAS the ones that are like $1300?
- SteveF
- Posts: 216
- Joined: Fri Dec 10, 2004 4:39 pm
Re: Shoulder Harness Options
Always thought installing the BAS harness was one of the best mods I did to my 52 170B.
The freedom of the BAS is so nice when you lean forward to get the flap handle. Expensive
but worth every penny in comfort and flexibility.
I got the utility buckle and it is a little trouble getting the shoulder straps on but being able to
put them on the head liner when not is use is great. I also have been in planes with the standard
buckle and they are a real pain to deal with by comparison as the belt and shoulder straps don't
separate.
BTW the other mod I loved and it works on the same ratchet principle is the free Cessna pilot seat lock/restraint.
The freedom of the BAS is so nice when you lean forward to get the flap handle. Expensive
but worth every penny in comfort and flexibility.
I got the utility buckle and it is a little trouble getting the shoulder straps on but being able to
put them on the head liner when not is use is great. I also have been in planes with the standard
buckle and they are a real pain to deal with by comparison as the belt and shoulder straps don't
separate.
BTW the other mod I loved and it works on the same ratchet principle is the free Cessna pilot seat lock/restraint.
- johneeb
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- Joined: Thu Jun 26, 2003 2:44 am
Re: Shoulder Harness Options
I got the "Standard Buckle" because I want to be wearing the shoulder harness when I need it, no possible excuses for not having it on.
John E. Barrett
aka. Johneb
Sent from my "Cray Super Computer"
aka. Johneb
Sent from my "Cray Super Computer"
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Re: Shoulder Harness Options
<NotLookingToStartAFight...but>Aryana wrote:bigrenna wrote:Go BAS they are worth the coin. (Im a bit of a snob, but I personally wouldn't waste time with any other.)This is why I still don't have any installed in mine. When I do install them, they will be BAS.
Dude, this is like safety 101. Not having shoulder harnesses is SO dangerous in an accident that event the FAA says they don't care what you put in but please put something in.
If yours has the AN3 bolt in the spar, at least sew up some loops until you decide on a final solution.
Of all the mandatory BS the FAA has imposed over the years, I think shoulder harnesses should be on that list.
- cessna170bdriver
- Posts: 4112
- Joined: Mon Apr 22, 2002 5:13 pm
Re: Shoulder Harness Options
I've had BAS standard buckle harnesses in my 170 since 1995, and I'd do it exactly the same way again. I like getting in the seat, reaching down to the attach points, grabbing the belts, and buckling in one smooth motion; no fiddling with four separate parts. When I'm loading the baggage compartment or rear seat, I run the seat forward and throw the buckles in it, and it's out of the way for all but the largest items. The harnesses aren't attached to the seat upholstery in any way, so seat removal is no biggie. I put myself in out of the airplane MUCH more often than the seats, or even baggage, so my setup suits me just fine.
Miles
“I envy no man that knows more than myself, but pity them that know less.”
— Thomas Browne
“I envy no man that knows more than myself, but pity them that know less.”
— Thomas Browne
- lowNslow
- Posts: 1535
- Joined: Mon Apr 22, 2002 4:20 pm
Re: Shoulder Harness Options
Holy cow Miles, first your gone for months, now we can't shut you up.
Welcome back.

Karl
'53 170B N3158B SN:25400
ASW-20BL
'53 170B N3158B SN:25400
ASW-20BL
- GAHorn
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- Joined: Fri Apr 12, 2002 8:45 pm
Re: Shoulder Harness Options
"He's ALIVE....He's ALIIIIVE!" - young Frankenstein.
Glad to see you're back, Miles!
Glad to see you're back, Miles!
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons.
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons.

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