Hey guys,

Got a couple questions and looking for any tips or tricks for these belts, as I know more than a couple folks are rocking skywagons with BAS belts on here.

So I just recently ordered a set of BAS belts to replace my static harness up front in my 78' A185F, normally an amphib.

Here's my current setup






Looking to replace it with a rotary buckle setup from BAS, like this, I noticed there were a bunch of posts on normal vs utility buckles, but nothing on the rotary




So my question is, what's everyone thoughts on the rotary buckles, seem like a good option in my thoughts,

quickly detaches, easy to take just the shoulder harness off if needed and the buckles are smaller so you're not swinging as much metal around your windows and pax, I've used them in land geared 208s and PC12s before, but I got zero experience with those types of buckles on the water.

I also was wondering if anyone had a link to a color matched paint, I think that headliner of mine is a factory color, and I thought I'd ask before I go trying to find someone up here to mix paint up.

Also any install tips or tricks for a 78' 185F??



Thanks!

I get the impression the rotary buckles aren't as popular for some reason, but I really like them. I used a set on my flight to Alaska with CubCrafters a few years back and they were great. You can plug each strap in individually, each has its own tongue, then release them all at once. The buckle itself is a little more herky and heavy.

We use rotary buckles almost exclusively at work.

After a while, the buckles can get gunk (dust, dirt, debris, whatever) in there and make them difficult to actuate. On floats, I would personally NOT use rotary buckles. Get something that's easy to find/operate in a pinch and when operated comes completely apart so as not to snag you (utility buckle). I've done dunker training with our (rotary) buckles 3 times now, and every time I wish they were easier to operate, like a utility buckle would be.

I have utility buckles in my plane, which is always on wheels. But that's just my experience and preference.

When I purchased my BAS harnesses 13 years ago, they had just started offering the rotary buckle, along with the "utility" and "standard" buckles. I decided on the "standard" buckle, because I thought having to put everything together would be a hassle, and paying an extra $500 for a rotary buckle seemed pretty outlandish (now it's $600). I was wrong about the inconvenience of the "utility" buckles, because after using them during my SES training 2 1/2 years ago, it only took maybe 2 or 3 times buckling up to get comfortable with it.

But I think I was right about the rotary buckle. Here's why I wouldn't have one:
1. Cost--$600 more for the rotary buckle still seems outrageous. That's 135 gallons of LL!
2. Allowing the shoulder harnesses to be disconnected without unbuckling the lap belt does away with the primary reason for having shoulder harnesses. I have read that FAA/NTSB statistics are that there's something in the neighborhood of 80% better chance for surviving an otherwise survivable crash, if the front seaters are wearing shoulder harnesses vs. just seat belts, because few light aircraft have "gentle" panels. Look at your own panel--do you want to smack your face/head into it? Mine has all sorts of protruding pointy things, like switches and knobs, and otherwise there's no padding at all.
3. Confusion for the passenger (and maybe the pilot) in a panic egress situation. Every other aviation seat belt is unlatched by pulling up on the latch lever, whether Cessna, Mooney, Piper, or Boeing, Douglas, or Airbus or whatever. It's a natural movement. Twisting a buckle is not natural in an emergency. While the pilot who frequently unbuckles may get accustomed to it, the occasional passenger won't know what to do automatically. If they push the button, like they do in their cars, they'll only release the shoulder straps. Imagine what that does in an already panicky situation!
4. The rotary buckle really is ugly clunky!

Cary

I have a rotary buckle on my RV8 (wheels) and I love it compared to the regular buckle on my Husky. I like being able to snap each strap in individually, instead of trying to keep all the straps together to get locked in place.
It also makes it much easier to have the belts tighter, which is safer, imo.

Thinking since most of the hours I'm flying at work are with rotary buckles, I'll go with the rotary, hopefully I don't kick myself for it

Any install tips for a fabric liner A185F?

Any good places to find paint for color matching?

I've owned both in my lasts two 180s and would not go back to the utility or standard buckles. I have the exact opposite opinion from Cary. They are easier to work with and look much better than the 4H rodeo champ belt buckle that is the utility latch. A simple twist and the entire thing comes apart without any chance of a shoulder harness hanging up on the lap tongue. The standard buckle is probably the simplest but I don't like threading my way into and out of them. Besides there is no really good way to get them out of the road when pulling a seat or working in the cabin.

As for seaplane ops it seems the rotary are much safer due to the complete release as described above. Being able to remove just the shoulder harnesses is not something I use ever during flight... once I'm clipped in I stay clipped in until I shut down and with the inertia reels there isn't a problem moving around as necessary. I do however release the shoulders once I shut down and velcro them up prior to releasing the lap belt which keeps everything from falling all over the floor. I love the rotary buckles... wouldn't have mine any other way.

Cary wrote:.... Allowing the shoulder harnesses to be disconnected without unbuckling the lap belt does away with the primary reason for having shoulder harnesses ...

I think the primary advantage of the rotary buckle is that you can latch the seat belt by itself, then plug in the shoulder straps individually -- instead of having to hook them all up at once. I like the utility buckle arrangement on the BAS harnesses in my 180, and wouldn't mind having the rotary buckle, but the advantage(s) it offers isn't worth $600 to me.

I prefer the rotary buckles. Which is not relevant...get whichever you prefer. Or want to afford.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Rotary buckles are up to $720 add-on on top of the base price of $1710 for the inertial reel system... Any recent opinions?

I am apparently a caveman when it comes to these things. I have zero experience with rotary buckles, but I’ve used both the “standard” and “utility” setups from BAS and I MUCH prefer the standard setup. Why? With this setup, you’ll never have a belt hanging out a door again, for one thing. I know…I’m apparently the only one who’s dropped off a pax on floats, got aboard and shoved off, only to hear that sound after engine start.

With the standard system shoulder strap and seat belt on each side are tied together.

Passengers find it super easy to belt up, even with no experience.
No belts hanging out doors.
Easy to egress, pull latch and roll out…..theories of these being difficult to egress underwater are from folks who haven’t tried it….I have and it’s easy.

Frankly, I HATE having to hunt all over the cockpit for stray parts of harness, then trying to figure out which shoulder strap goes on which side.

And, less $$$

MTV

soyAnarchisto wrote:Rotary buckles are up to $720 add-on on top of the base price of $1710 for the inertial reel system... Any recent opinions?

Definitely don't pay that. I don't like rotary. It's a weird motion.