4 point vs. 5 point belts...

[comfortcat]

I'm planning on a 4 point seat belt system for my RV-9A. I have no intention of flying upside down, so I thought 4 point would be better for pilot and passenger.

My friend says he has heard of significant problems with the shoulder harness pulling the lap belt out of place when you tighten it down. He says it makes the lap belt ride on your stomach instead of low across your lap.

Are folks normally using 4 point or 5 point belts in the 9?

CC

[ArVeeNiner]

I originally installed a 4 point but then decided to add the 5th point. Unfortunately, I already had my seats but they didn't have the slots in them for the crotch straps. So, I sent them back to get modified.

The Van's parts were pretty cheap.

I've never flown with a 4 point but I'm glad I went with the 5 point. Even with no acro, it's nice to be held snugly during turbulence.

If you're on the fence, at least have the crotch strap slots installed in your seats when they're first made.

[MarkW]

I think you will find that there have been some injuries to people when they hit their head on the canopy during a roll over (flip). Since the shoulder straps are there to prevent you going forward not up the lap is what holds you down.
A five point harness help with this. I have five point in my 9.

[N941WR]

The sub strap is really designed to keep the lap belt low, over your hips, in the event of an accident. If the lap belts slide up, it will harm your internal organs, possibly fatally.

The problem is that most people tighten their belts wrong. You should tighten the sub (crotch) strap first (if installed), lap belt second, finally the shoulder straps.

Yes, I have them in my -9. Hooker cam locks, thanks to my wife.

[Vlad]

4 points here. Keep you seat belts tight. Always.

[pa38112]

I have 4 point and am going to switch them out for 5 point. The lap belt is very difficult to keep low, and if I ever nose-over I won't stay in my seat. I always had 5 points in my cars and find them more comfortable. You can always leave the sub strap un-buckled and under the seat cushion if you want.

Those of you with 5 points - where are you attaching the sub strap to the air frame ?

[N941WR]

Originally Posted by pa38112

...Those of you with 5 points - where are you attaching the sub strap to the air frame ?

Van's has a sub-strap anchor kit for the side-by-side models that I used. It basically bridges two the seat pan ribs. It is an easy retrofit and can be installed with pull rivets. You will have to cut slots in both seat pans to allow a place for the sub strap to pass through.

[flyboy1963]

Yep. Don't have the 5 point. Wish I did.
......always banging the canopy in my -9a, even with the lap super tite!
way easier to put in at least the anchor, than add later.
You can always choose not to connect it if you don't want it for some reason.

[GeneL]

I had 4 point in my 7 and could not keep tall people off my canopy in turbulence! Also had a very unsecure feeling, switched to 5 point asap. There is a reason almost all race cars/ boats/ planes... have 5 or 6 point. I went with Crow camlocks and am very happy. Simpson also has a very nice system. Hookers are also good but are VERY pricey. Be safe!

[Sam Buchanan]

I flew the standard 4-pt harness for 14 years in the RV-6. Then one Saturday morning going into Moontown for breakfast I hit the worst turbulence I have ever experienced--for the first time I was concerned about what would happen if the latch popped loose and whether or not I would exit through the canopy.

Came home and ordered a G-Force 5-pt harness, the same one I've driven in the Stalker V6 kit car for ten years. It is a bit heavy but reasonably priced with a real latch that won't pop loose. Turbulence will still bounce the RV around but now I know I won't end up in the baggage compartment or take an unplanned excursion from the plane if a sleeve snags the latch.