Inertial reel shoulder harness - retro fit?

[Casey Wilson]

Hi all,

I'm shopping for an inertial reel shoulder harness for a 1976 C-172M. I've
been to the B.A.S., Inc. site and seen their product line. Are there any
others?

Any comments about switching out the old shoulder strap (fixed w/adjustable
buckle) for the inertial reel?

[Roy Smith]

Casey Wilson <N2310D @ gmail.com> wrote:
>Hi all,
>
>I'm shopping for an inertial reel shoulder harness for a 1976 C-172M. I've
>been to the B.A.S., Inc. site and seen their product line. Are there any
>others?
>
>Any comments about switching out the old shoulder strap (fixed w/adjustable
>buckle) for the inertial reel?

Inertia reels are very convenient, until they stop working right, and
then they're totaly useless and a royal pain in the ass.

A strap with an adjustable buckle is always sort of annoying, but
never fails. I'll go with simple but foolproof every time.

[[email protected]]

"Casey Wilson" <N2310D @ gmail.com> wrote:
> I'm shopping for an inertial reel shoulder harness for a 1976 C-172M. I've
> been to the B.A.S., Inc. site and seen their product line. Are there any
> others?

Yes. <http://www.amsafeaviation.com/generalaviation.htm>

[Casey Wilson]

> wrote in message
...
> "Casey Wilson" <N2310D @ gmail.com> wrote:
>> I'm shopping for an inertial reel shoulder harness for a 1976 C-172M.
>> I've
>> been to the B.A.S., Inc. site and seen their product line. Are there any
>> others?
>
> Yes. <http://www.amsafeaviation.com/generalaviation.htm>

Thanks... but all I found there was a pointer to go look at the B.A.S.
website.

[Ross Richardson]

I installed the B.A.S. on my '65 Skyhawk. I love them. Both front seats
have it. The owner was great to work with and sent sample colors for me
to match. He asked that I send them back when I finished. You can move
around with out the solid hardpoint Cessna shoulder strap. You can
always check the inertial reel by quickly pulling on the strap. Locks up
each time.

Ross

Casey Wilson wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> I'm shopping for an inertial reel shoulder harness for a 1976 C-172M. I've
> been to the B.A.S., Inc. site and seen their product line. Are there any
> others?
>
> Any comments about switching out the old shoulder strap (fixed w/adjustable
> buckle) for the inertial reel?
>
>
>

[Casey Wilson]

I've decided to opt for the B.A.S. system for the SkyHawk. In response
to the post about the reel breaking down and the belt then being useless --
I find lots of testimonial about how the shoulder harness prevented serious,
perhaps even fatal, injury and nothing about the reels breaking down.
My problem with the fixed length, is that even with the belt loosened to
its max length, I can't reach the fuel selector valve on the floor. With it
cinched down for take off, I can't touch the instrument panel with my finger
tips and its all I can do to keep the throttle all the way in with only one
finger pushing on it.
The last thing I'd want to contend with if the whirly thing quit, is
unfastening that belt to get to the valve and then buckling it back up
before making an off field landing if I couldn't get the noise maker back in
operation.
Ross, thanks for the positive response. Too bad there's no competition
for B.A.S. to get the price down.

Go Fly!

[Newps]

Of all the things to worry about in a plane it makes about as much sense
is where the prop stops on shutdown.



Casey Wilson wrote:

> I've decided to opt for the B.A.S. system for the SkyHawk. In response
> to the post about the reel breaking down and the belt then being useless --
> I find lots of testimonial about how the shoulder harness prevented serious,
> perhaps even fatal, injury and nothing about the reels breaking down.
> My problem with the fixed length, is that even with the belt loosened to
> its max length, I can't reach the fuel selector valve on the floor. With it
> cinched down for take off, I can't touch the instrument panel with my finger
> tips and its all I can do to keep the throttle all the way in with only one
> finger pushing on it.
> The last thing I'd want to contend with if the whirly thing quit, is
> unfastening that belt to get to the valve and then buckling it back up
> before making an off field landing if I couldn't get the noise maker back in
> operation.
> Ross, thanks for the positive response. Too bad there's no competition
> for B.A.S. to get the price down.
>
> Go Fly!
>
>

[Casey Wilson]

Granted that engine failure (stopping the whirly thing up front) is
uncommon it happens often enough that we drill on it in primary training,
flight reviews, and.... And every POH I've seen, certainly not all by a
long shot, has a check list for engine failure in various scenarios. If
something impedes me performing the check list ... Yeah, I worry about it.
Or did I miss your point, Newps?


"Newps" > wrote in message
...
> Of all the things to worry about in a plane it makes about as much sense
> is where the prop stops on shutdown.
>
>
>
> Casey Wilson wrote:
>
>> I've decided to opt for the B.A.S. system for the SkyHawk. In
>> response to the post about the reel breaking down and the belt then being
>> useless -- I find lots of testimonial about how the shoulder harness
>> prevented serious, perhaps even fatal, injury and nothing about the reels
>> breaking down.
>> My problem with the fixed length, is that even with the belt loosened
>> to its max length, I can't reach the fuel selector valve on the floor.
>> With it cinched down for take off, I can't touch the instrument panel
>> with my finger tips and its all I can do to keep the throttle all the way
>> in with only one finger pushing on it.
>> The last thing I'd want to contend with if the whirly thing quit, is
>> unfastening that belt to get to the valve and then buckling it back up
>> before making an off field landing if I couldn't get the noise maker back
>> in operation.
>> Ross, thanks for the positive response. Too bad there's no
>> competition for B.A.S. to get the price down.
>>
>> Go Fly!

[Doug Vetter]

Casey Wilson wrote:
<snip>
> Ross, thanks for the positive response. Too bad there's no competition
> for B.A.S. to get the price down.

If you're looking for an alternative to BAS inertial reels, try these
guys (just try to look past the horrible website design...)

http://www.davisaircraftproducts.com/

They'll build to suit, and their products are STC'd (not just FAA/PMA
approved).

The only downside is that they won't give you a quote (even a "ballpark
number") until you give them all the specs and they work up the exact
design, including prints, and get your approval on them. Don't ask me why.

-Doug

--------------------
Doug Vetter, ATP/CFI

http://www.dvatp.com
--------------------

[Gig 601XL Builder]

"Doug Vetter" > wrote in message
...

> If you're looking for an alternative to BAS inertial reels, try these guys
> (just try to look past the horrible website design...)
>
> http://www.davisaircraftproducts.com/
>
>

Got another web address for them that one doesn't seem to work.

[Casey Wilson]

"Gig 601XL Builder" <wrDOTgiaconaATcox.net> wrote in message
...
>
> "Doug Vetter" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>> If you're looking for an alternative to BAS inertial reels, try these
>> guys (just try to look past the horrible website design...)
>>
>> http://www.davisaircraftproducts.com/
>>
>>
>
> Got another web address for them that one doesn't seem to work.
>
Hi,

It worked for me. As was stated, the web site is dreadful regarding
navigation. The inertial reels are in section 7, then click on 2.

[Ross Richardson]

I guess I paid about $750.00 for the two belts and the mechanic charge
$80.00 to install. I do not know what the cost is now. I got a reduced
price because the two retractors had a different tension between the
two. Who is going to know? They also sell a little sleeve that goes on
the nylon web that protects your neck when you do not have a collered
shirt on.

Casey Wilson wrote:

> I've decided to opt for the B.A.S. system for the SkyHawk. In response
> to the post about the reel breaking down and the belt then being useless --
> I find lots of testimonial about how the shoulder harness prevented serious,
> perhaps even fatal, injury and nothing about the reels breaking down.
> My problem with the fixed length, is that even with the belt loosened to
> its max length, I can't reach the fuel selector valve on the floor. With it
> cinched down for take off, I can't touch the instrument panel with my finger
> tips and its all I can do to keep the throttle all the way in with only one
> finger pushing on it.
> The last thing I'd want to contend with if the whirly thing quit, is
> unfastening that belt to get to the valve and then buckling it back up
> before making an off field landing if I couldn't get the noise maker back in
> operation.
> Ross, thanks for the positive response. Too bad there's no competition
> for B.A.S. to get the price down.
>
> Go Fly!
>
>

[Gig 601XL Builder]

"Casey Wilson" <N2310D @ gmail.com> wrote in message
news:r4AUf.5045$hC.2708@trnddc08...
>
> "Gig 601XL Builder" <wrDOTgiaconaATcox.net> wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> "Doug Vetter" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>
>>> If you're looking for an alternative to BAS inertial reels, try these
>>> guys (just try to look past the horrible website design...)
>>>
>>> http://www.davisaircraftproducts.com/
>>>
>>>
>>
>> Got another web address for them that one doesn't seem to work.
>>
> Hi,
>
> It worked for me. As was stated, the web site is dreadful regarding
> navigation. The inertial reels are in section 7, then click on 2.
>

I still get a "This Page Cannot Be Displayed" which is a server or DNS
error. Maybe it hasn't propagated to all the DNS servers yet.

[Newps]

Casey Wilson wrote:
> Granted that engine failure (stopping the whirly thing up front) is
> uncommon it happens often enough that we drill on it in primary training,
> flight reviews, and.... And every POH I've seen, certainly not all by a
> long shot, has a check list for engine failure in various scenarios. If
> something impedes me performing the check list ... Yeah, I worry about it.
> Or did I miss your point, Newps?

Yes, you did. My point was some people worry about the inertia reel
itself failing.

[Morgans]

"Casey Wilson" <N2310D @ gmail.com> wrote

> Ross, thanks for the positive response. Too bad there's no competition
> for B.A.S. to get the price down.

Why not scavenge one out of a car?
--
Jim in NC

[Casey Wilson]

"Newps" > wrote in message
...
>
>
> Casey Wilson wrote:
>> Granted that engine failure (stopping the whirly thing up front) is
>> uncommon it happens often enough that we drill on it in primary training,
>> flight reviews, and.... And every POH I've seen, certainly not all by a
>> long shot, has a check list for engine failure in various scenarios. If
>> something impedes me performing the check list ... Yeah, I worry about
>> it.
>> Or did I miss your point, Newps?
>
> Yes, you did. My point was some people worry about the inertia reel
> itself failing.

Ah, now I get it. My mistake.

[Gig 601XL Builder]

"Morgans" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Casey Wilson" <N2310D @ gmail.com> wrote
>
>> Ross, thanks for the positive response. Too bad there's no
>> competition
>> for B.A.S. to get the price down.
>
> Why not scavenge one out of a car?
> --
> Jim in NC
>

This is just a guess but...

A lot of the automobile inertial reel seat belts only lock up when the
deceleration is in one direction like when you hit your brakes or a brick
wall. A up or down acceleration wouldn't do it and neither would a side to
side.

There are exceptions to this rule one being in my Honda S2000. It would lock
the reel on any significant change in motion. This made putting on your seat
belt as you accelerated impossible.