Seaworthy
FOUNDER
Massachusetts
I'm about to replace my current lap belt in my PA-12 with a shoulder and lap belt from Hooker Harness. The annual is going to be done next week as well as a few other things.
I researched the various products out there and decided on Hooker. Then I came across the postings re someone having a problem with Hooker and "customized" installation. I advised the A&P/IA and he called Hooker re the attachment points and the mechanism of mechanical attachment itself. Hooker then started doing a tap dance re cross brace tubes on the overhead and the cross brace member attachment to the rear for the rear seat. Well this A/C has a headliner that must be removed, an access hole cut etc. Hooker says that they need specific lengths from seat to cross brace member before they will manufacture the shoulder harness.
My question is: This is a certificated aircraft. Distances should be the same within all aircraft, of this type, to a reasonable degree. Because there will not be an inertia reel, there is a certain amount of slack that will be necessary. It seems reasonable that the attachment point brackets will be able to absorb a certain amount of slack. We aren't talking about the "rocket sled " here. Is Hooker being a pain in the ass or am I and my very experienced A&P/IA got our collective heads up our backsides. Hooker also said that they make the shoulder harness, but we will have to get the attachment brackets elsewhere. This also struck me as odd.
Thanks for any help
Tom Constantine Seaworthy 99-1
I researched the various products out there and decided on Hooker. Then I came across the postings re someone having a problem with Hooker and "customized" installation. I advised the A&P/IA and he called Hooker re the attachment points and the mechanism of mechanical attachment itself. Hooker then started doing a tap dance re cross brace tubes on the overhead and the cross brace member attachment to the rear for the rear seat. Well this A/C has a headliner that must be removed, an access hole cut etc. Hooker says that they need specific lengths from seat to cross brace member before they will manufacture the shoulder harness.
My question is: This is a certificated aircraft. Distances should be the same within all aircraft, of this type, to a reasonable degree. Because there will not be an inertia reel, there is a certain amount of slack that will be necessary. It seems reasonable that the attachment point brackets will be able to absorb a certain amount of slack. We aren't talking about the "rocket sled " here. Is Hooker being a pain in the ass or am I and my very experienced A&P/IA got our collective heads up our backsides. Hooker also said that they make the shoulder harness, but we will have to get the attachment brackets elsewhere. This also struck me as odd.
Thanks for any help
Tom Constantine Seaworthy 99-1