Shoulder Harness Options

A place to relax and discuss flying topics.

Moderators: GAHorn, Karl Towle, Bruce Fenstermacher

BlakeinAlabama
Posts: 59
Joined: Mon May 30, 2011 12:20 am

Shoulder Harness Options

Post by BlakeinAlabama »

I would like some feedback on options for installing shoulder harnesses in the 170A please. Costs, availability etc. Thanks. Blake In Alabama
Blake Mathis
Huntsville, AL
BlakeMathis@yahoo.com
bagarre
Posts: 2615
Joined: Thu Sep 30, 2010 11:35 pm

Re: Shoulder Harness Options

Post by bagarre »

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.
bigrenna
Posts: 525
Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2012 10:23 pm

delete

Post by bigrenna »

delete
Last edited by bigrenna on Mon Jun 29, 2015 1:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
Bruce Fenstermacher
Posts: 10418
Joined: Tue Apr 23, 2002 11:24 am

Re: Shoulder Harness Options

Post by Bruce Fenstermacher »

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)
CAUTION - My forum posts may be worth what you paid for them!

Bruce Fenstermacher, Past President, TIC170A
Email: brucefenster at gmail.com
User avatar
Ryan Smith
Posts: 1213
Joined: Tue Nov 25, 2008 4:26 am

Re: Shoulder Harness Options

Post by Ryan Smith »

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.
BlakeinAlabama
Posts: 59
Joined: Mon May 30, 2011 12:20 am

Re: Shoulder Harness Options

Post by BlakeinAlabama »

Are the BAS the ones that are like $1300?
Blake Mathis
Huntsville, AL
BlakeMathis@yahoo.com
bigrenna
Posts: 525
Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2012 10:23 pm

delete

Post by bigrenna »

delete
Last edited by bigrenna on Mon Jun 29, 2015 1:40 pm, edited 2 times in total.
User avatar
SteveF
Posts: 216
Joined: Fri Dec 10, 2004 4:39 pm

Re: Shoulder Harness Options

Post by SteveF »

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.
bigrenna
Posts: 525
Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2012 10:23 pm

delete

Post by bigrenna »

delete
Last edited by bigrenna on Mon Jun 29, 2015 3:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
johneeb
Posts: 1542
Joined: Thu Jun 26, 2003 2:44 am

Re: Shoulder Harness Options

Post by johneeb »

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"
bagarre
Posts: 2615
Joined: Thu Sep 30, 2010 11:35 pm

Re: Shoulder Harness Options

Post by bagarre »

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.)
:lol: This is why I still don't have any installed in mine. When I do install them, they will be BAS.
<NotLookingToStartAFight...but>

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.
User avatar
cessna170bdriver
Posts: 4112
Joined: Mon Apr 22, 2002 5:13 pm

Re: Shoulder Harness Options

Post by cessna170bdriver »

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
User avatar
lowNslow
Posts: 1535
Joined: Mon Apr 22, 2002 4:20 pm

Re: Shoulder Harness Options

Post by lowNslow »

Holy cow Miles, first your gone for months, now we can't shut you up. :twisted: Welcome back.
Karl
'53 170B N3158B SN:25400
ASW-20BL
User avatar
GAHorn
Posts: 21290
Joined: Fri Apr 12, 2002 8:45 pm

Re: Shoulder Harness Options

Post by GAHorn »

"He's ALIVE....He's ALIIIIVE!" - young Frankenstein.

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. ;)
Post Reply
Cessna® is a registered trademark of Textron Aviation, Inc. The International Cessna® 170 Association is an independent owners/operators association dedicated to C170 aircraft and early O-300-powered C172s. We are not affiliated with Cessna® or Textron Aviation, Inc. in any way.