Shoulder Harness STC for 7-ECA

7

7Smith

New member
Any help offered for me to understanding STC's and options for installing shoulder harnesses in my 1979 7-ECA would be greatly appreciated. Please excuse the long post, but I am totally confused by what I have seen in the field as to what is available as a set (with STC) and what is legal. The problem seems to be mainly with the shoulder harnesses.

Currently installed, front and back, is a standard seat belt with an across-the-chest harness to a hard point on the left side of the cabin. I must replace these worn belts and would like to upgrade to some with mild aerobatic capability; especially something with a double shoulder harness with good vertical and fore-aft support.

In the field I have seen double harnesses that come together in a Y and attach to a single hardpoint in the center of the aft spar carrythru just aft of the skylight. Is this an STC that can be installed without great dissassembly and welding as this is what I would really prefer.

I have also seen the same Y, but with a slot cut in the headliner and the webbing wrapped around the center of the lower cross tube. Is this an actual STC?

Also, I have seen double harnesses that go all the way to two slots in the headliner and are wrapped around the lower cross tube in two places. I have been told that this is an STC from Hooker.

I have even seen double shoulder harnesses that go over the shoulders, down the back side of the seat, and attach to a lower seat tube. In this case, no attachment to other cabin structure was made.

Also, are STC's available for a centeral harness hardpoint for the rear seat?

Your opinions and guidance are appreciated. Thanks.
 
I've got a Hooker harness in mine. It was installed by the previous owner. Google Hooker Harness, and you can find the installation instructions right there. If you can't find it, let me know, and I will find it again and pass it on to you.

Bill
 
Thanks blokes.

I have been to the Hooker site and can find nothing specific about the Citabria or explicit installation instructions. I did call Scott there. He recomended their Sport Harness Set and described the front harness as an H style (as opposed to a Y) requiring two slots in the headliner and two wraps around the cross tube. Unless my imaganation is running wild it sounds like I would have two straps and associated three-bar anchors and tag ends hanging in front of the rear seat passenger. Sure would like to see one of these installations before I purchase. Could you describe how your harness anchors?

Anyone in the Fort Worth, Texas area with one that I could see?
 
I looked all over the internet, and couldn't find the website I told you about. Yes, you do have some straps hanging down, but once you are in your seat and buckled in, they (to me anyway) are not an issue. Let me know if you can't see one in person and I will get some photos of my installation.

Bill
 
I just found the installation drawings for the Hooker harness. I can scan them and email them to you if you like.

Bill
 
Thanks blokes and sunderland,

Denton is close enough and I will probably go, but haven't been yet.

I did find an older Aronca with an (older?) Hooker Harness. It was quite faded, but probably has the same anchor points as now. Thanks for the offer of the scans blokes, but for now anyway, I think I understand well enough how the Hooker anchors.

I did find two additional offerings.

Wag-Aero actually faxed me the installation instructions for their STC version; very nice of them.

Aircraft Spruce also apparently has a STC version for sale, but so far I haven't been able to get them to confirm it applies to a 1979 7-ECA, or explain exactly how it anchors. Still working with them.

If anyone knows of other harness STC's available please advise. Also, if any one has experience with the versions above and have formed an opinion comparing them, please let me know.

Ben
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top