Joe Parish
Well Known Member
Wondering if putting in the crotch strap in a RV-9A is necessary. Do you find its in the way and you don't use it? Or do you use it all the time? Wanted input from those already flying. thanks Joe
Van's Air Force
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Crotch strap in RV-9A
- Thread starter Joe Parish
- Start date
Installed it and use it; it doesn't get in my way or restrict my motion in any way, so I figured why not - it may prove valuable someday. Just make sure you lay it forward before sitting down each time so you aren't digging under your crotch to pull it out after sitting down 
Chris
Chris
Dave_Boxall
Well Known Member
I fitted the 4-point harness to my 9 originally. After hitting some turbulence and banging my head on the canopy I replaced them with the 5-point harnesses. Much more secure.
rightrudder
Well Known Member
The 5-point is second nature for me from my SCCA days. Good tip about laying it forward before you're seated.
Yep, me too.
Joe Parish
Well Known Member
Thanks for the info guys. Seems almost unanimous. I will install it. Thanks
longranger
Well Known Member
Just a tip Joe,...
... if it's not too late to do so, install the brackets to the floor ribs before you rivet the ribs to the bulkheads or the floor. Much easier to lay out, drill, and rivet that way. I even used solid rivets on mine.
... if it's not too late to do so, install the brackets to the floor ribs before you rivet the ribs to the bulkheads or the floor. Much easier to lay out, drill, and rivet that way. I even used solid rivets on mine.
Joe Parish
Well Known Member
The brackets are installed already.
Gil, I was wondering the same thing. Not sure if they would lay under the seat?
Gil, I was wondering the same thing. Not sure if they would lay under the seat?
rightrudder
Well Known Member
Sure, it'll lie flat. My seats (Classic Aero Sportsman) have a slot for the crotch belt, and if not used you can either lay it flat beneath the seat, or tuck the buckle/webbing back into that slot.
I don't have one. Banged my stupid head couple times due to loose seat belt. No cracks on the canopy so far
same for me, no 5th point attachment and I've banged my head pretty good at least four times in the past three years. those are the ones I can remember....
There just HAS to be a good joke in there somewhere. Anyone?
No kiddin'. I had to work real hard to write that one liner that wasn't full comedy.
I don't have one. Banged my stupid head couple times due to loose seat belt. No cracks on the canopy so far
I seem to recall banging my head on your canopy as well!!
N941WR
Legacy Member
The purpose of the sub-strap is to keep the lap belt in place. Without it, in the event of an accident, the lap belt may/will ride up above the hips and across the stomach. During the impact, the belt will damage your internal organs and while you will survive the initial accident, you will probably die due to organ damage.
When I was doing the SCCA thing, we had to have dual sub straps, just in case one broke. (We also had 3" straps, none of this 2" stuff, like we have in our planes.)
When I was doing the SCCA thing, we had to have dual sub straps, just in case one broke. (We also had 3" straps, none of this 2" stuff, like we have in our planes.)
5 Point Harness
One last point; a pilot put his RV down off airport a number of years ago now, and he only had the 4 point and somehow ended up in the baggage compartment after it stopped tumbling upon impact. He was okay, but said the next RV he built would have a 5 point seat belt!
One last point; a pilot put his RV down off airport a number of years ago now, and he only had the 4 point and somehow ended up in the baggage compartment after it stopped tumbling upon impact. He was okay, but said the next RV he built would have a 5 point seat belt!
