czechsix
Well Known Member
Before I rivet in my seat belt attach lugs, I have a few questions for those who have already installed harnesses in their -14's:
1) The stock attachment lugs use 1/4" bolt holes and 1/8" spacing between the lugs. Other VAF threads indicate that this may not be sufficient for some harnesses (Hookers?) and I noticed the RV-7 plans spec a 3/16" gap. It also appears that the Crow harnesses use very short attach lugs that result in the harness chafing on the airframe lug, but those may have been older style and no longer a problem? Anyone have issues with either the spacing or bolt hole size with any brand of harnesses?
2) Has anyone experienced issues with the stick (at full aft) interfering with the rotary latch (aka 'cam lock') on a Crow or Hooker harness? In my RV-8 I had the latch & link style and while they were comfortable and secure, it was a challenge to get all the links in place before you could latch it (especially for passengers), so I'm leaning toward the more expensive rotary style in the -14...but I've seen a few reports of issues with the stick contacting or even releasing the rotary latch which protrudes further than other latching mechanisms.
3) Any thoughts on pull up vs. pull down lap belt adjustment in the -14? I was happy with the pull up adjustment in my RV-8, but also had more room between the seat and fuselage sides in that airplane compared to a side-by-side, so the adjustment ergonomics were different.
4) Has anyone had issues with the shoulder harness irritating your neck? Since the harness must come together to a single attach point above the baggage area, depending on the geometry of how they are connected it seems some people have had complaints in other side-by-side RVs. Do pads help, or do they just exacerbate the problem since they are wider than the harness itself?
5) 2" vs. 3" webbing?
Any other input, good or bad, on experiences with harnesses in the -14 are welcome...
1) The stock attachment lugs use 1/4" bolt holes and 1/8" spacing between the lugs. Other VAF threads indicate that this may not be sufficient for some harnesses (Hookers?) and I noticed the RV-7 plans spec a 3/16" gap. It also appears that the Crow harnesses use very short attach lugs that result in the harness chafing on the airframe lug, but those may have been older style and no longer a problem? Anyone have issues with either the spacing or bolt hole size with any brand of harnesses?
2) Has anyone experienced issues with the stick (at full aft) interfering with the rotary latch (aka 'cam lock') on a Crow or Hooker harness? In my RV-8 I had the latch & link style and while they were comfortable and secure, it was a challenge to get all the links in place before you could latch it (especially for passengers), so I'm leaning toward the more expensive rotary style in the -14...but I've seen a few reports of issues with the stick contacting or even releasing the rotary latch which protrudes further than other latching mechanisms.
3) Any thoughts on pull up vs. pull down lap belt adjustment in the -14? I was happy with the pull up adjustment in my RV-8, but also had more room between the seat and fuselage sides in that airplane compared to a side-by-side, so the adjustment ergonomics were different.
4) Has anyone had issues with the shoulder harness irritating your neck? Since the harness must come together to a single attach point above the baggage area, depending on the geometry of how they are connected it seems some people have had complaints in other side-by-side RVs. Do pads help, or do they just exacerbate the problem since they are wider than the harness itself?
5) 2" vs. 3" webbing?
Any other input, good or bad, on experiences with harnesses in the -14 are welcome...
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