Crow Enterprises - harnesses

[bruceh]

It looks like Aircraft Spruce is now carrying the Crow harnesses. Price is slightly better than direct from Crow - $159 vs. $165 per harness (with pads). Has anyone ordered this default configuration for an RV-6/7/9? If so, how did it work out, or do you wish you had customized the order in any way?

[RVG8tor]

Originally Posted by Ironflight

I obviously can't tell you what YOU want Mike, but I have 3" Crow belts in the -8, and we put the same thing in the -3....I like them, especially for Acro.

Paul

Thanks Paul, did you go 3" all around or just the lap belt and 2" for the shoulders?

Thanks.

[chunt0]

Three inch belts are intuitively attractive for acro, but I went two inch. I'm not finished yet, but I have flown small, cramped aircraft with both camlock and latch type two inch restraints. I've never really yearned for wider belts. The two inch Crows are already heavy and bulky enough for my taste. Unless you are extremely large, I doubt there are any functional advantages to going wider.

[Ironflight]

Originally Posted by RVG8tor

Thanks Paul, did you go 3" all around or just the lap belt and 2" for the shoulders?

Thanks.

All 3" except the crotch strap.

[Louise Hose]

I find the 3" a bit bulky on my shoulders and would probably prefer the 2", although the 3" does give a nice, secure feel. I expect broad-shouldered guys wouldn't have the same issue. Nonetheless, you might consider 3" for the pilot and 2" for the GIB.

[Louise Hose]

Originally Posted by RVG8tor

Thanks Paul, did you go 3" all around or just the lap belt and 2" for the shoulders?

Thanks.

Paul is probably headed out to the airport to fly Tsam home but he has 3" all around on both planes.

[billdianne]

This is from Schroth's website.


Schroth?s 2? Lap Belts are Safer and Easier to Use

PEABODY, MA ? SUMMER 2005: For the past x years, the European governing body of Motorsport (the FIA) has known that 2? webbing in a lap belt is more effective than 3? webbing. However the FIA does not have much jurisdiction here in the states. And for these superior restraints to gain popularity and acceptance in the US, it?s been a long struggle. Leading the struggle is the US Importer of Schroth Restraints, HMS Motorsport. Joe Marko, Owner of HMS Motorsport has been traveling the country speaking at Motorsport safety conferences to raise awareness of this problem.

To explain why 2? webbing is more effective than 3? webbing, one needs to look at the shape of the human body. The Iliac Crest is the part of the pelvic bone that sticks out above the hips. A piece of 2? webbing will fit entirely within that crest, where a 3? belt would ride only on the tips of the crest. The 3? webbing has less surface area by percentage than the 2? webbing which will cause more bruising on impact as ?hot-spots? of force develop where the belt is making contact with the pelvic bone. Also, these 3? belts will not be as tight as they could be if they were 2? wide.

The solution is to run 2? webbing. It fits well within the Iliac Crest of the pelvis, which means it?s less likely to slide up above the crest and cause submarining ? a condition where the body slides down below the lap belts causing internal organ damage at best. Because of the fit, you can also get the webbing up to 2? tighter than you could with 3? webbing.

Research shows that harnesses with 2? lap belts yield lower sub strap loads ? a fact that highlights how well the lap belts are working. There is no difference in strength between the two different webbing widths, and a 2? webbing has less friction through an adjuster making it easier to adjust when the driver is sitting in the seat.

Schroth?s solution addresses all these issues as well as a few more. Their ?Flexi-Belt? Technology allows the end user to change the harness between two configurations ? Pull up to tighten or Pull down. This unique technology also allows the user to choose between many different end fittings that will suit their car?s setup best. It?s a win/win situation for all drivers ? a safer harness that?s easier to use.

The Sanctioning bodies in the US have been slow to respond to this knowledge, but the tides have begun to change, and as of 2005 the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) has approved the 2? lap belt for all club and pro events. SCCA joins NASA, the BMWCCA, [etc etc] among the sanctioning bodies that allow and in some cases advocate the safer 2? webbing. Safety is an ever-changing aspect of Motorsport, and those that govern it are paying attention to the information provided by Schroth, HMS Motorsport and the FIA.

[panhandler1956]

Originally Posted by Louise Hose

I find the 3" a bit bulky on my shoulders and would probably prefer the 2", although the 3" does give a nice, secure feel. I expect broad-shouldered guys wouldn't have the same issue. Nonetheless, you might consider 3" for the pilot and 2" for the GIB.

I have to echo what Louise said. I have the 3" Crows and while they are secure feeling they are kind of a pain unless you are a bigger person, especially on top of a parachute harness. I would probably do 2" next time.

[RVG8tor]

I and I am sure others appreciate the inputs. I think I will go with the standard and see how they work out, the nice part with Crow is I am sure I can work up 3" parts if I decide to go that route in the future. I will say the 3" belt I have used in a friends -8 does seem difficult to cinch up but they are old and I am sure the backseat does no get used as often.

Time to place and order I guess.

Back to sanding, I am glad I am making a mess of the dust in my garage as opposed to the hanger, the dust would migrate to my neighbors I am sure. Move to the airport will be in two weeks!

[Don Patrick]

Mine just arrived today...a little ways away yet, wish I had of known ACS carried them now.

Nice set! Standard 2".

DP