On the Bonanza group we discuss various types of shoulder harnesses about once every nine months. If through nothing but pure rote, one recalls many tidbits of info that allows you to think. The frequency of the discussion always yields the same end result and a few times something new is thrown into the meld. There are sharp professional people (no, I don't know how they tolerate me) and I value their input and the data they use. Absolutely no egos there, just a lust for flying and a respect for life itself.
One of the things always discussed is a three point (like a car) vs. a four point (double belt over the shoulder) system. Given the input it's still much of a toss up with many going the 4 point route. Most choose that because of the system's ability to hold a person very well in the seat under those dreadful conditions. Naturally the six pointers are the best, but it may be overkill for most. The 3 point system will allow a person to slip out under certain conditions. I have the three point Alpha's and like them. People will agree that anything is better than nothing when it comes to belts, but another fact must be brought into the mix, and that is whether or not the restraint device will do harm after its job of restraining occurred. I mention this because a well respected, retired orthopedic surgeon on the list mentioned that during his days as an Air Force Flight Surgeon he saw trauma due to compressed spines from restraint injuries. It seems that when a shoulder covering device is attached too low, it may actually have a yanking effect on impact, probably the body's force being held down in a certain way. Argument is that if your spine wasn't hurt you wouldn't have to worry because you would probably be dead, and that's correct, but the facts should be used when making a decision about installing belts. This came about because there's a portable system available that attaches to your rear seat belts and run over your shoulder. Cheap and easy but one may get a false sense of security. I'm not in the airplane fixing business or a flight surgeon, physicist, chiropractor, accident investigator or EOC director and never played any of those things on TV, nor did I stay in a Holiday Inn last night, so take it with a grain of salt, it's worth what you paid for it and YMMV. Al DeMarzo Visit the Ercoupe Swap Page - Free and Easy http://www.ercoupeowners.com/swap/swapbook.htm ----- Original Message ----- From: Ed Burkhead To: 'Mark H' Cc: ety Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2008 6:51 AM Subject: [ercoupe-tech] shoulder harness anchor Mark, I remember seeing that shoulder harness anchor and it was the one I liked the best. When I asked John Wright, Sr., to make one for me, he talked me out of it, pointing out how many tail cones depart the airplane in accidents. John anchors shoulder harnesses to the rear of the window sill. The angle isn't very good but he says it always holds and the passenger compartment is rarely badly deformed. Something to consider. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: Mark H [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, January 02, 2008 10:30 PM To: Ed Burkhead Subject: RE: news letter On the should harness thing, I rember a 337 the was in the capers in about 88 or 89 ( got a memory like a rock) that was real nice, a friend of mine did it in his Forney. it had a doubler behind the F bunkhead too, and a handle on the out side. Was a real nice set-up. Mark
