Im starting to do some research into installing a three point harness in a C172. Was wondering who on here has installed a seatbelt stc on a 172 (or other Cessna aircraft), and what they might recommend for a good brand. Any info is helpful! Thanks.

Standby G44 will be along any minute now

BAS.
Some folks here have first hand experience as to the benefits. You can search the posts or maybe they will chime in.
Your ship probably has the attach point in the carrythru spar already. It’s a straight forward install.

Cheers,
Dave

Yes

BAS is the way to go. I've installed them on both my previous 180, my current 185 and on an A-36 and BE-58. Don't leave home without them...

MW

I parked a Cessna 185 on a mountainside once when the crank broke. There was no prettier place to park. The plane did a modified endo, folded tail up around fuselage, folded one wing down, etc. Pretty dramatic.

I was using a BAS Harness, and I have no doubt that it saved my life. That plane came from Cessna with the original factory installed cross chest shoulder belt, which I was never impressed with. Management installed BAS in all our Cessnas after that accident.

They save lives, believe me. Look at their website, where they have a number of photos, including one of mine.

I won't fly in Cessnas without a BAS harness these days.

MTV

Come on, go easy on me, LOL.

G44 wrote:Come on, go easy on me, LOL.

All in jest sir, you speak wise words.

Get the BAS utility (seaplane) buckle. When you release the buckle, all four belts drop away. With the standard buckle, the shoulder harness stays attached to the lap belt on each side. Personally I think this would be a severe impediment to egress, particularly if submerged.

Ross

I have BAS harnesses in both front seats in my Cessna. I dont get the statement that the shoulder harnesses remain attached when the buckle is released. Every time I pull the release on my harnesses everything (both shoulder straps AND the lap belt separate.

The rotary action of the seaplane buckle is very unlike just pulling on the belt release. I have to wonder if a passenger who has no muscle memory with that very inusual release mechanism would successfully operate it in an emergency.

pipeliner wrote:Get the BAS utility (seaplane) buckle. When you release the buckle, all four belts drop away. With the standard buckle, the shoulder harness stays attached to the lap belt on each side. Personally I think this would be a severe impediment to egress, particularly if submerged.

Ross

I completely agree!

Kurt

Going to have to throw another vote for BAS, just put them in the Stinson. Super easy install and way more peace of mind than just one shoulder strap. The install instructions that came with the reels did have a disclaimer stating "Note: this does not mean you should go crash your plane."

Seems like sound advice!

PapernScissors wrote:I have BAS harnesses in both front seats in my Cessna. I dont get the statement that the shoulder harnesses remain attached when the buckle is released. Every time I pull the release on my harnesses everything (both shoulder straps AND the lap belt separate.

The rotary action of the seaplane buckle is very unlike just pulling on the belt release. I have to wonder if a passenger who has no muscle memory with that very inusual release mechanism would successfully operate it in an emergency.

Take a look at the three buckles at the bottom of this link.

https://basinc-aeromod.com/cessna.php

The rotary buckle is a different buckle than the seaplane buckle.

Ross

G44 wrote:

pipeliner wrote:Get the BAS utility (seaplane) buckle. When you release the buckle, all four belts drop away. With the standard buckle, the shoulder harness stays attached to the lap belt on each side. Personally I think this would be a severe impediment to egress, particularly if submerged.

Ross

I completely agree!

Kurt

Okay, just to be Horner you, I have to say that I disagree. The “Standard” BAS harness system is, in my opinion, better suited even to seaplane ops, than their so called “Seaplane”system.

I say that for a couple reasons, not the least of which is that I have actually egressed from an airplane after an accident while using the “Standard” BAS harness. It worked flawlessly then, and literally hundreds of times on floats when a beaching scenario in fast water, wind or?, could easily have turned ugly had the harness impeded my egress.

I’ve also flown several planes with the BAS “seaplane” harness system, and I singularly dislike that system, compared to the “Standard” system. Belts go flying everywhere upon release (I realize that’s the point, but ANY harness system does that) and there is always the possibility of a belt hanging out a door after engine start. That damages Aircraft.......I know, I know.....yer supposed to reel them in before closing doors. So I’m the only one who’s failed at that?

But my primary point is that the standard harness really doesn’t impede ones egress at all. And certainly not as much as a headset, for example. Beaching in a 1o knot current, then getting underway in same is a great test of this, and I’ve done it many times while using the standard harness system from BAS.

So count me as one vote for the standard harness.

MTV

I prefer the utility ones as well. If you do go with the standard ones, do yourself a favor and do not install them through the seat belt loops on the sides of the seat. If you install them through the loops you cannot take the seats out without taking the bolts out at the end of the belts...