Louise’s RV-6 (known as “Mikey”) got a Christmas present last December - new Crow five-point harnesses with rotary buckles to replace the old airline-style buckles and sunbleached nylon straps that had been there a long time. Unfortunately, being RV-6 kit #4, built and flying for over 35 years, he doesn’t have crotch strap attach points, so we installed the seat belts and shoulder harnesses, reserving the crotch strap install for some significant “down time”. I looked at the project during the last condition inspection, and decided to go do something else - too much wiring and stuff in the way, the cushions weren’t really set up for it, the autopilot servo and backup battery under the seats were going to make it a tough job….). So we have flown it for six months with just the four points.
At Airventure, I stopped by the Crow booth and told Matt about this - he quickly said “oh, you need the racing SIX-point harnesses!!” Great, two more points I didn’t want to install? He shook his head…”the six points are basically a Y, with the crotch strap attach tab in the middle, and the ends going to the same attach points as the seat belts. The Y-straps go under your seat cushions, and the result is sort of like a parachute harness that keeps you from sliding out from under the lap belt!”
The new straps were waiting for us when we got back from Wisconsin, and Louise installed them the other day. I took it out for a flight, and wow - the security is better, and (untested of course) the safety should be improved.
So if you have no center attach point, but want a more secure harness set up, check into the six-point from Crow - tell them its for an early RV without a crotch strap attach point, and Matt will know what you’re talking about.
Pictures, or it didn’t happen…..
At Airventure, I stopped by the Crow booth and told Matt about this - he quickly said “oh, you need the racing SIX-point harnesses!!” Great, two more points I didn’t want to install? He shook his head…”the six points are basically a Y, with the crotch strap attach tab in the middle, and the ends going to the same attach points as the seat belts. The Y-straps go under your seat cushions, and the result is sort of like a parachute harness that keeps you from sliding out from under the lap belt!”
The new straps were waiting for us when we got back from Wisconsin, and Louise installed them the other day. I took it out for a flight, and wow - the security is better, and (untested of course) the safety should be improved.
So if you have no center attach point, but want a more secure harness set up, check into the six-point from Crow - tell them its for an early RV without a crotch strap attach point, and Matt will know what you’re talking about.
Pictures, or it didn’t happen…..
