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#1
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A couple of years ago I got hammered in a wave rotor while flying a
G102. No matter how tight the shoulder straps, my head kept banging into the canopy. This is a big enough problem that some glider owners are re-locating the shoulder strap anchors lower. I think modifying the seat belt/shoulder harness is a primary structure issue requiring 337 field modification paperwork in most countries. There's got to be a better way. This issue came up again recently which led me to some "out-of-the- box" thinking which is the reason for this thread. What if one had inverted "U" shaped, detachable shoulder pad(s) that snapped or Velcro'd to the shoulder straps or maybe the parachute harness? They would come in various sizes to fit different pilots. In effect, these would raise the pilots shoulders with pads instead of lowering the strap attachment points. The pads would press down on the pilots shoulders as the straps were tightened preventing canopy head banging. These pads would be 'personal gear' and not require a 337. Do these things already exist? Discussion? |
#2
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Once again, the purpose of shoulder straps is NOT to keep your had
from hitting the canopy! The ONLY purpose of shoulder straps is to keep your head from hitting the instrument panel. If you are hitting the canopy, tighten your lap belt! On Jun 8, 9:36*am, bildan wrote: A couple of years ago I got hammered in a wave rotor while flying a G102. *No matter how tight the shoulder straps, my head kept banging into the canopy. *This is a big enough problem that some glider owners are re-locating the shoulder strap anchors lower. I think modifying the seat belt/shoulder harness is a primary structure issue requiring 337 field modification paperwork in most countries. *There's got to be a better way. This issue came up again recently which led me to some "out-of-the- box" thinking which is the reason for this thread. What if one had inverted "U" shaped, detachable shoulder pad(s) that snapped or Velcro'd to the shoulder straps or maybe the parachute harness? *They would come in various sizes to fit different pilots. In effect, these would raise the pilots shoulders with pads instead of lowering the strap attachment points. * The pads would press down on the pilots shoulders as the straps were tightened preventing canopy head banging. *These pads would be 'personal gear' and not require a 337. Do these things already exist? *Discussion? |
#3
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On Jun 8, 9:36*am, bildan wrote:
A couple of years ago I got hammered in a wave rotor while flying a G102. *No matter how tight the shoulder straps, my head kept banging into the canopy. *This is a big enough problem that some glider owners are re-locating the shoulder strap anchors lower. I think modifying the seat belt/shoulder harness is a primary structure issue requiring 337 field modification paperwork in most countries. *There's got to be a better way. This issue came up again recently which led me to some "out-of-the- box" thinking which is the reason for this thread. What if one had inverted "U" shaped, detachable shoulder pad(s) that snapped or Velcro'd to the shoulder straps or maybe the parachute harness? *They would come in various sizes to fit different pilots. In effect, these would raise the pilots shoulders with pads instead of lowering the strap attachment points. * The pads would press down on the pilots shoulders as the straps were tightened preventing canopy head banging. *These pads would be 'personal gear' and not require a 337. Do these things already exist? *Discussion? What you really need is a 6 point harness. ( 6 is better than 5 points ) see http://home.netcom.com/~pappa3/files...20harness.jpeg Also do a search in in RAS for crotch strap, 5 point or 6 point harnesses. The problem with the 4 point system is that there is no force holding the shoulder straps down except the waist belt. And since the shoulder straps pull up on the middle of the waist belt, they will always slip. I was able to rig the 6 strap system using the existing waist belt anchors in my G102. And always put foam in your hat for ridge flying. Todd 3S |
#4
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On Jun 8, 10:36*am, bildan wrote:
A couple of years ago I got hammered in a wave rotor while flying a G102. *No matter how tight the shoulder straps, my head kept banging into the canopy. *This is a big enough problem that some glider owners are re-locating the shoulder strap anchors lower. I think modifying the seat belt/shoulder harness is a primary structure issue requiring 337 field modification paperwork in most countries. *There's got to be a better way. This issue came up again recently which led me to some "out-of-the- box" thinking which is the reason for this thread. What if one had inverted "U" shaped, detachable shoulder pad(s) that snapped or Velcro'd to the shoulder straps or maybe the parachute harness? *They would come in various sizes to fit different pilots. In effect, these would raise the pilots shoulders with pads instead of lowering the strap attachment points. * The pads would press down on the pilots shoulders as the straps were tightened preventing canopy head banging. *These pads would be 'personal gear' and not require a 337. Do these things already exist? *Discussion? Was your lap belt tight? Does the G 102 have a crotch strap? Those are the straps that will keep your bottom in contact with the seat during negative G´s. You don´t want to lower the attachment points of the shoulder straps as this could lead to spinal compression in an accident. Regards, Juan Carlos |
#5
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On Jun 8, 6:36*am, bildan wrote:
A couple of years ago I got hammered in a wave rotor while flying a G102. *No matter how tight the shoulder straps, my head kept banging into the canopy. *This is a big enough problem that some glider owners are re-locating the shoulder strap anchors lower. I think modifying the seat belt/shoulder harness is a primary structure issue requiring 337 field modification paperwork in most countries. *There's got to be a better way. This issue came up again recently which led me to some "out-of-the- box" thinking which is the reason for this thread. What if one had inverted "U" shaped, detachable shoulder pad(s) that snapped or Velcro'd to the shoulder straps or maybe the parachute harness? *They would come in various sizes to fit different pilots. In effect, these would raise the pilots shoulders with pads instead of lowering the strap attachment points. * The pads would press down on the pilots shoulders as the straps were tightened preventing canopy head banging. *These pads would be 'personal gear' and not require a 337. Do these things already exist? *Discussion? I have the same issue with my Speed Astir. No matter how tight the lap and shoulder belts are, my head bashes the canopy with every strong bump. In 2006, I bashed the canpy OFF the glider. That was exciting. I've also considered rigid foam pads atop my shoulders. If you try it, please post up how well it works. Thanks |
#6
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The problem with the 4 point system is that there is no force holding
the shoulder straps down except the waist belt. This depends on where exactly the lap belt is fitted to the fuselage. E.g. in the DG-1000, the 4 point belt holds me perfectly in the seat even when flying inverted. |
#7
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The lap belt and 5th (and 6th if you deem necessary) points should
feel like a snug climbing harness holding your pelvis down. The shoulder straps then have something decent to attach to, and don't need to be tight enough to play bass guitar on. Having the shoulder strap points below shoulder height and too tight will only serve to decrease pilot comfort. The design of the seat pan doesn't matter. A crotch strap system is needed in all gliders. Don't let the lap belt ride up. If the belts slip because they're old, don't just keep tightening them. Get them rebuilt (new webbing) or buy new ones. Jim |
#8
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JS wrote:
A crotch strap system is needed in all gliders. Make that "many". E.g. with the DG-1000 I fly negative aerobatics comfortably with the 4 point harness. |
#9
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On Jun 8, 9:01*am, wrote:
Once again, the purpose of shoulder straps is NOT to keep your had from hitting the canopy! The ONLY purpose of shoulder straps is to keep your head from hitting the instrument panel. If you are hitting the canopy, tighten your lap belt! On Jun 8, 9:36*am, bildan wrote: A couple of years ago I got hammered in a wave rotor while flying a G102. *No matter how tight the shoulder straps, my head kept banging into the canopy. *This is a big enough problem that some glider owners are re-locating the shoulder strap anchors lower. I think modifying the seat belt/shoulder harness is a primary structure issue requiring 337 field modification paperwork in most countries. *There's got to be a better way. This issue came up again recently which led me to some "out-of-the- box" thinking which is the reason for this thread. What if one had inverted "U" shaped, detachable shoulder pad(s) that snapped or Velcro'd to the shoulder straps or maybe the parachute harness? *They would come in various sizes to fit different pilots. In effect, these would raise the pilots shoulders with pads instead of lowering the strap attachment points. * The pads would press down on the pilots shoulders as the straps were tightened preventing canopy head banging. *These pads would be 'personal gear' and not require a 337. Do these things already exist? *Discussion? With a reclining cockpit, lap belts won't keep your head off the canopy. Only the shoulder belts can help with that. The 102 lap belts WERE tight. |
#10
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Keep in mind that cockpit/belt 'fit' differs widely with pilot
physique. 4-point belts which works great for one pilot may be problematic for another. 5/6 point belts work great for me and I like them. Unfortunately, they aren't fitted (or available) for all gliders. Even if they are available, it would involve a form 337 to install them. There are really no absolutes. The shoulder pad idea is just to gain yet another option for smaller pilots. I took a look at my parachute and it already has thin shoulder pads on the harness. Unfortunately, they are rounded on top which makes the shoulder belts tend to slide off. I think I'll ask my rigger if something could be done about that. |
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