Restraint Harness

I need to replace my seat belt and shoulder harness. I have some flexibility since my glider is an experimental (LS4). Based in the USA.

It currently has a four point harness made by Gadringer. Choices are to get it re-webbed or replaced. I am leaning toward trying to get it re-webbed, but thought I would see what folks like today in the way of harnesses as I might just as easily replace it.

What is the favored harness manufacturer today? Or is there a favorite?

Thanks for the input.

WD

On 1/20/2014 2:10 PM, wrote:
I need to replace my seat belt and shoulder harness. I have some
flexibility since my glider is an experimental (LS4). Based in the USA.

It currently has a four point harness made by Gadringer. Choices are to
get it re-webbed or replaced. I am leaning toward trying to get it
re-webbed, but thought I would see what folks like today in the way of
harnesses as I might just as easily replace it.

What is the favored harness manufacturer today? Or is there a favorite?

Thanks for the input.

WD



If you haven't already, check out Hooker Harness. My ship (came into my hands
1981) left the US factory (Experimental Exhibition and Racing registration)
with a Hooker 5-point harness. Never've had any reason to not like the setup.
I'd reckon any 5 or 6 point harness would be better than any 4-point in the
event of a rapid horizontal stoppage.

YMMV.

Bob W.

Updated the Pawnee and the Schweizer 1-26with Hooker Harness. They have the old "military style" connections.
The Grob, LS, ans Schweizer 2-33 have the older Schroth style, now Davis brand.

Check out Wings and Wheels for the Davis style, Hooker Harness has their own web site.

Bill T

In the US Hooker Harness will re-web your current belts.

Assuming the metal bits are all in good shape it is significantly cheaper to re-web than to replace the entire system. Most (all)seatbelts have a 12 year life limit due to UV degradation of the material. The tensile strength goes down drastically due to this degradation. For about $150 it is certainly worth sending them for re-webbing during the off-season.


If you are in Canada, use GJ's Aircraft belts. He does a super job.
www.gjsair.ca

Dave Springford
www.foxonecorp.com

Here's another option

http://www.aircraftseatbelts.com/

I'm sending mine for re-webbing and having a crotch belt made. I think the re-webbing was quoted at $145.

Originally Posted by

I need to replace my seat belt and shoulder harness. I have some flexibility since my glider is an experimental (LS4). Based in the USA.

It currently has a four point harness made by Gadringer. Choices are to get it re-webbed or replaced. I am leaning toward trying to get it re-webbed, but thought I would see what folks like today in the way of harnesses as I might just as easily replace it.

What is the favored harness manufacturer today? Or is there a favorite?

Thanks for the input.

WD

I had Wag-Aero reweb the belts for my Austria and I am happy with them. Price was reasonable, too.

On Tuesday, January 21, 2014 10:46:24 AM UTC-5, wrote:
Here's another option



http://www.aircraftseatbelts.com/



I'm sending mine for re-webbing and having a crotch belt made. I think the re-webbing was quoted at $145.

I'll second the company at the website listed above. I sent in my Schroth four-point harness and they returned it within a week or so with everything replaced except for the rotary buckle. They replaced the rusty adjusters and slides with new parts. My only "problem" was determining what color of webbing to order...

Ray Lovinggood
Carrboro, NC
LS1c/d

On Tuesday, January 21, 2014 10:46:24 AM UTC-5, wrote:
Here's another option



http://www.aircraftseatbelts.com/



I'm sending mine for re-webbing and having a crotch belt made. I think the re-webbing was quoted at $145.

I'll second the company at the website listed above (www.aircraftseatbelts.com "Aviation Safety Products" located in Blairsville, Georgia, USA). I sent in my Schroth four-point harness and they returned it within a week or so with everything replaced except for the rotary buckle. They replaced the rusty adjusters and slides with new parts. My only "problem" was determining what color of webbing to order...

Ray Lovinggood
Carrboro, NC
LS1c/d

Thanks for all the input. Very helpful!

Ray - what color did you end up going with?

WD

I got a dark blue, probably the "Midnight Blue" as shown on their web page. It looks very good. CAVEAT...HOWEVER... I have a problem. I installed the harness yesterday in the glider and then found the lap belt will not engage into the rotary buckle. Both shoulder harnesses work fine and both shoulder harness "tabs" will engage into the lap belt slot in the rotary buckle. It appears the round hole in the "tab" of the lap belt is too small. I've placed a call to "Aviation Safety Products" and am awaiting their call back. It is disappointing that they didn't do the simple test of trying to insert the new metal "tabs" into the rotary buckle before sending out the harness. I'll report back with news when it becomes available.

Ray