czechsix
Well Known Member
As I work through the fuselage floor sections I've been thinking about moving the lap belt attach lugs a few inches further forward. What got my attention was this post from the General Discussion section of the forums a while back:
http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=158840
The OP's concern was hitting his head on the canopy in turbulence. While this is certainly unpleasant (and may also scratch your canopy where the headset makes contact), my bigger concern is what happens if you ever flip the airplane over. I know the nose gear design makes this less likely than the other 2-seaters, but it's still not out of the question especially in a forced landing. If you can hit your head on the canopy in turbulence despite tightening down the lap belt and crotch strap, imagine the full weight of your body hanging from the harness upside down...keep in mind the top of the canopy is well above the rollbar on the tip up design.
I've looked at a number of certified airplane recently, and without exception all of them have lap belt attach points right where the seatback meets the base of the seat pan. Cars seem to use this geometry as well. On the RV-14 the lap belt lugs attach behind the rear spar and protrude through the spar several inches aft of the seatback. On the RV-7, the lap belt lugs attach to the forward face of the rear spar and appear to be closer to the seat. The RV-8 also places the lap belt attach points closer to the seat. The aft placement on the -14 is exacerbated if you are using the middle or forward seatback hinge point...the further forward you move the seat, the less ideal the geometry of the lapbelt to hold you down onto the seat.
Curious if anyone else has had issues with the lap belt geometry in the -14 (especially those who are flying) and if anyone has done mods to move the primary lap belt attach points forward?
http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=158840
The OP's concern was hitting his head on the canopy in turbulence. While this is certainly unpleasant (and may also scratch your canopy where the headset makes contact), my bigger concern is what happens if you ever flip the airplane over. I know the nose gear design makes this less likely than the other 2-seaters, but it's still not out of the question especially in a forced landing. If you can hit your head on the canopy in turbulence despite tightening down the lap belt and crotch strap, imagine the full weight of your body hanging from the harness upside down...keep in mind the top of the canopy is well above the rollbar on the tip up design.
I've looked at a number of certified airplane recently, and without exception all of them have lap belt attach points right where the seatback meets the base of the seat pan. Cars seem to use this geometry as well. On the RV-14 the lap belt lugs attach behind the rear spar and protrude through the spar several inches aft of the seatback. On the RV-7, the lap belt lugs attach to the forward face of the rear spar and appear to be closer to the seat. The RV-8 also places the lap belt attach points closer to the seat. The aft placement on the -14 is exacerbated if you are using the middle or forward seatback hinge point...the further forward you move the seat, the less ideal the geometry of the lapbelt to hold you down onto the seat.
Curious if anyone else has had issues with the lap belt geometry in the -14 (especially those who are flying) and if anyone has done mods to move the primary lap belt attach points forward?