I've seen photos of lots of cool cargo nets here, either off-the-shelf or custom.
I've always just tied stuff down, using line and cargo rings or whatever,
but I can see a cargo net would be a better arrangement.
They can be pretty spendy though.
I just had an idea of using either a blanket, or more likely a tarp,
along with some clamp-on tiedown eyes.
A blanket or tarp makes sense because either one can also serve another purpose when you get where you're going--
in fact, their primary purpose.
Those blue "homesteader" tarps are cheap and plenty tough.
The eyes (both grommets & clamp-on style) would probably be the weak point.
Here's a link to the type of clamp-on eyes I'm talking about-- these are $17 for 15.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000SOLELW/re ... 8063291454

I've had good success using a net from Safari Straps. They make tons of sizes and are made well and seem super strong. The poor man's version of the aviation-specific ones.

The one I'm using:
https://www.safaristraps.com/1-polyeste ... 28-x-32-5/

I've used a small, bungee cord net sold through lots of outlets for small cargo when the rear seat is out of my Maule. Something like this: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Masione-Cargo-Net-Carry-Bungee-Truck-Net/481138831?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=2418&adid=22222222227000000000&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=42423897272&wl4=pla-51320962143&wl5=1027710&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=113515739&wl11=online&wl12=481138831&wl13=&veh=sem

When I'm loaded to the gills for camping I've used a tarp tied to the base of the front seat legs. I don't have good tie-down brackets in the back of the plane. I've never seen the snap on tie connectors you posted so I ordered some. The grommets on those blue tarps pull out pretty easily. Having these snap on connectors will help with my dump runs even if I don't use them in the plane.

It's an interesting idea, but I don't think it has even a fraction of the holding power needed to do any good in a crash. People do get killed by their cargo hitting them from behind, both in airplanes and in cars. The things we cary in the back of the airplane develop thousands of pounds of force in a crash, and VERY strong webbing and hardware is needed to restrain it.

Bungee nets and tarps might keep things in place during light turbulence or a bumpy landing, but they'll do nothing to protect you in a high impact scenario. The cargo nets made to separate gear from passengers are expensive for a reason...lots of expensive webbing, and LOTS of hight strength stitching, plus rated attachment hardware. Going cheap there makes about as much sense as bargain seat belts.

I made my own net out of climbing webbing and hardware, and sewed it together with 60lb test spectra fishing line. Until you sew all those connections yourself, you'll never understand how much work it is. I think the commercially made cargo nets are a bargain.

asa wrote:I've had good success using a net from Safari Straps. They make tons of sizes and are made well and seem super strong. The poor man's version of the aviation-specific ones.

The one I'm using:
https://www.safaristraps.com/1-polyeste ... 28-x-32-5/

+1 for Safari Straps. I installed one of their nets in my old 170 and another in my 180.

What Hammer said.

I have had great luck in the past in finding used UPS and FedEx commercial grade cargo nets for sale on eBay. The last one I bought there I think I paid $15 for it. And, they all showed minimal to no wear or tear.

Gump

On one occasion I had my load come loose when things got a little sporty. It went from sporty to terrifying. I don't want that to ever happen again especially since my kids will be sitting next to the gear. I've been thinking about making a bag similar to the Pacific River Bag I use in my raft or I may just buy one for my cataraft and use it in the plane too. Yes it will weigh a fair bit but if it keeps the gear secure during a 9G crash then it will be worth it.

Reminds me of a story my grandfather used to tell me about flying Bird Dogs in Korea.
He would remove the rear stick to stack in cases of beer to 're-supply' his forward post.
He joked about being either shot down, being captured or being decapitated by a case of beer on a bad landing. "Since the first two didn't kill me in the previous war, I thought my chances were pretty good with the beer".

tie downs can be pretty important, I was a passenger on my first small plane and first float plane trip when the cylinder head we were taking out to a remote logging site slid aft on the floor and went right through the back bulkhead of the plane. The sudden weight shift of a couple of hundred pounds of Allis Chalmers iron right at takeoff rotation put us right back on the water in a hard tail low attitude.
Had I known then what I know now about planes and floats and pilots I don't think I would have stayed in the plane for a second attempt.
The pilot left us drifting around in the inlet while he drug the thing back forward and tied it in place with seat belts and away we went.

Jeepers robw56,

Everytime I see a pic of your 170 I'm more and more impressed, spectacular. Your my "go to" for ideas to "enhance" my 170.

Cheers,

Mapleflt

shorton wrote: the cylinder head we were taking out to a remote logging site slid aft on the floor and went right through the back bulkhead of the plane. The sudden weight shift of a couple of hundred pounds of Allis Chalmers iron right at takeoff rotation put us right back on the water in a hard tail low attitude.

I had a replacement Sled show up that had plywood flooring. I didn't realize how slippery that plywood was. I netted for forward forces, and not well enough for aft. Takeoff run with 1,100 lbs of bypass triple-mailers out of Kotz, and the whole stack slid back to the bulkhead when I rotated. Luckily I was able to shut it down on the runway, and taxi back to the ramp to fix stuff.

That's bad Juju...

Gump

Mapleflt wrote:Jeepers robw56, Everytime I see a pic of your 170 I'm more and more impressed, spectacular. Your my "go to" for ideas to "enhance" my 170. Mapleflt

Rob's running with the big dogs with a C180.
Rob, where's the 170 now?
Is the new owner here amongst us on BCP?

Not sure what scrap yard the 170 is in now but it was totaled in a hangar collapse over a year ago shortly after I sold it. Matt the guy I sold it to is here on BCP and now flies a Cessna 180.

That puts a tear or two in my eyes, ah man

Heartbreaking!