Shoulder harnesses

[B737jenkins]

I know this has been discussed before, but thought I’d revisit the options. Me and a couple guys own a 1968 7ECA with a fresh set of Airtex seats (which we love!) in a flying club.

Another airplane (PA28) at our local field had an accident and the owner/pilot survived with just bumps and bruises, despite ending up inverted. He had lap belts and dual shoulder harnesses, so a 4 point restraint.

This has motivated us to upgrade our lap belts to a better system.

We don’t do acro.

Can anyone suggest options for shoulder harness systems or upgrades? We don’t really want a full 5 point hooker system, but are looking to upgrade to shoulder harness/4 point restraints.

 

[aftCG]

My '65 7ECA has Hookers. They are 5 point but I have never included the crotch strap in anything I do. Love them.

 

[Bob Turner]

We have Hookers in the Stearman, and "Silver Parachute" in the Decathlon. They are equivalent to Hookers, only with ratchets. I could do without the ratchets, but always use the crotch strap.

The less expensive Ruperts available from spruce are a relatively inexpensive alternative. The old Air Force belts were the best.

 

[Goodyear]

Use the Hookers without the strap. They fit nicely on the back of the pilot’s seat.

 

[Big Ed]

When not doing acro, I just use the normal lap and shoulder belt, and secure the 5 point belts under the seats.

 

[Hiperbiper]

Aero Fabricators aka Wag Aero has nice belts and harnesses. $200.00 per seat for a 4 point harness, attaching hardware, braces, TSO'ed belts and the STC's.
Easy to do uncovered, do-able with ingenuity and a good grasp of curse words if the bird is covered.
Installed pics in the Restoration Section.
Chris

 

[BB57]

The purpose of the 5th point is to keep the seat belt from riding up when the shoulder straps are tightened.

Sure, you can just leave the 5th strap under the seat, but it only takes a few seconds to connect it and snug it up. And when you do so, the seat belt will stay over your legs rather than riding up higher when you snug up the shoulder straps.

I find it's just more comfortable with it connected, even when just flying upright at one G.

The only downside is that with a 2" strap between my legs I can't hold the stick back with my knees, while I have one hand on the starter button and the other hand on the mixture control in my KCAB during engine start.

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I'll second the Aero Fabricators (Wag Aero's house brand) harness. I liked the 3" military style belts in my CItabria and Aero Fabricators sells a compatible shoulder harness and 5th point strap for it. They also sell optional shoulder pads and seat belt pads.

 

[Hiperbiper]

If you have the crotch strap it's a good idea to always have it buckled up...that big steel tang can find its way into the most embarrassing places; Giles Henderson recounts the day he almost bailed out of his Clipped Cub at an IAC event. He neglected to hook the center strap into the belt and it jammed in his elevator push tube...he finally got it loose but he said he was seconds from going over the side.
I've always thought the crotch strap was to keep you from "submarining" (sliding under the lap belt) in a crash...of course, I don't cinch my shoulder harnesses down that tight either, it's snug but not restrictive. I use the ratchet on the lap belt to keep me in place. If I'm not comfortable I don't enjoy acro as much...
Chris