Frequently Asked Questions
3 Point Diagonal Shoulder Harness Restraint Systems
- Our belts are made for us by AmSafe in Phoenix, AZ.
- We do not do any re-webbing
- We do not carry any parts or pieces to refurbish or manufacture belts.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I NEED AN STC KIT OR NOT?
If you currently have factory installed shoulder harnesses; you do not need the STC Kit.**
If you have an aircraft that had the option of shoulder harnesses; check under the headliner; the attachment points/nut plates should be there.
Mooney M20 A-G, early J, Cessna Cardinals and Cessna 200 Series aircraft that do not have factory installed shoulder harnesses can add 3-point restraints using one of our Minor Change Kits.
An STC is required anytime you are going to be cutting, welding, drilling, riveting; modifying the air frame.
** The exception to this; We have run into a series of PA28 and PA32's with an inertial reel installation located on the sidewall below the window. Normally this will be an AmSafe lap belt with a Pacific Scientific Inertial Reel. The problem we are running into is that it is a 4 bolt reel, and we have not been able to find a replacement with that same footprint. There are a couple options; Create an overlay using 2 ply of 41/000 (or 71) aluminum and attach the new single bolt reel to that, or abandon that mounting location and use our PA28/32 Shoulder Harness STC Kit to create new attachment points in the approved mounting location.
WHAT IS A MINOR CHANGE KIT?
Our Minor Change Kits include parts & hardware that can be installed without the need to modify the air frame by cutting, welding, drilling, riveting, etc. For example; the Mooney M20 A thru G, early J's can install shoulder harness attachment points using a tube clamp fashion after the Mooney factory installation. Cessna 177/177A and Cessna 200 Series Minor Change Kits use an existing nut plate where the cabin assist/passenger assist strap/handle are currently located. How is this a "legal" conforming installation? Please see; AC43.13-2B, Chpt 9
DO I NEED AN STC TO CHANGE FROM THE FIXED STRAP TO AN INERTIAL REEL BELT?
No. Your are upgrading existing equipment and will be reusing the same attachment point and hardware. An STC is required is if you are drilling, welding or modifying the air frame, and that is not the case in this scenario.
WHAT DO I GET WITH THE STC KIT?
Our STC Kits include everything needed for 2 seats - Pilot and Co-Pilot. This would be 2 Shoulder harnesses (with Reel if opting for that style), 2 new lap belts with buckles and end fittings, all required parts and hardware, detailed installation manual with drawings, 8130-3 Airworthiness Certificate, Certificate of Conformance, STC and STC Authorization.
WHAT IS INCLUDED WITH THE REPLACEMENTS or UPGRADES?
When replacing an existing set up, or upgrading your current system to Inertial Reel, you will receive 1 shoulder harness (with reel if opting for that style), 1 new lap belt including buckle and end fittings, an 8130-3 Airworthiness Tag and Certificate of Conformance. These are sold per seat (1) and are interchangeable so it applies to either the pilot or co-pilot position. The Cessna Inertial Reel Upgrade includes 4 washers.
CAN I ADD SHOULDER HARNESSES WITHOUT AN STC KIT?
You can with a mechanic willing to get an FAA Field Approval. This includes the rear seat position. Please Note: You want to make sure the structure you are looking at is substantial, and that it will hold in the case of an incident. Our STC approvals required us to perform a pull test to 9G's to prove the structure chosen would not fold or snap.
BEECHCRAFT STC KIT SA01880CH
There is only one thing that shows on the outside of the aircraft, and that's the 1/2" diameter hole on the door post that is required to sufficiently tighten the bolt. There was just no good way around this. Our kit includes a plug for that hole that is tight so that moisture does not get into it. This plug is made of a paintable plastic that can be painted to match your exterior. We've left this plug visible in the photo found on the STC page so you can see the location and size.
PIPER PA28/32 WITH 4 BOLT INERTIAL REEL We have run into a series of PA28 and PA32's with an inertial reel installation located on the sidewall below the window. Normally this will be an AmSafe lap belt with a Pacific Scientific Inertial Reel. The problem we are running into is that we have not been able to find a 4bolt replacement with that same footprint.
There are a couple options for getting past this; Create an overlay using 2 ply of 41/000 (or 71) aluminum and attach the new single bolt inertial reel to that, or abandon that mounting location and use our PA28/32 Shoulder Harness STC Kit to create new attachment points in the approved mounting location.
MY LAP BELTS ARE IN GOOD CONDITION - CAN I GET JUST THE SHOULDER HARNESS PORTION?
If your current shoulder harness and lap belt were manufactured by AmSafe, and are TSO-C114 restraint assemblies, we may be able to order just the shoulder harness - the exception to this would be if the part # was proprietary to the aircraft manufacturer. Please contact us, and provide the part # found on your TSO tag.* If you have a Pacific Scientific (or other) Shoulder Harness & Reel that is being used with an AmSafe or American Safety lap belt they are most likely TSO-c22f and we are not able to provide a replacement shoulder harness.
FYI: Many of the older Pacific Scientific Reels can be found on a Service Bulletin (A25-1124A SB). Pac-Sci will repair the reels and return them to you, but at last report the cost was about 1-1/2 x's the cost of one of our complete 3 point shoulder harness and lap belt replacements, and the lead time on the turn around was months. Because of this SB, these harnesses cannot be re-webbed.
*If you can't read your TSO tags, your belts are non-conforming and should be replaced as they would be deemed non-airworthy.
I HAVE A FIXED STRAP SHOULDER HARNESS IN MY PLANE NOW BUT I’D LIKE TO UPGRADE TO INERTIAL REEL. CAN I GET JUST THE SHOULDER HARNESS PORTION?
Unfortunately, no. Under TSO-C114, all sections of the restraint assembly (shoulder harness, and both half's of the lap belt) must have the same part # on the TSO tags to be conforming. The entire thing will need to be replaced.
CAN I SEND MY BELTS TO YOU AND HAVE THEM REWEBBED?
We are not a repair station. Our belts are made for us, to our specifications, by AmSafe. For re-webbing options, please contact AmSafe at 770-228-0712 if you have an AmSafe restraint and they can assist you in finding a certified repair station. Another good rewebber is Aviation Safety Products in Blairsville, GA.
MY AIRCRAFT IS NOT YOUR STC APPROVED MODEL LIST
There could be a couple reasons for this;
You already have factory installed shoulder harnesses. An STC is not required to replace existing equipment; you will be re-using the same mounting location and hardware.
A Minor Change Kit can be used in your aircraft to create the attachment points. We have these kits available for the Cessna 177 / 177A, Cessna 205 / 206 / 210 and Mooney M20 A thru G, early J model aircraft that did not come with a factory installation.
We don't have an STC for your aircraft.
WHAT IS A MINOR CHANGE KIT?
Our Minor Change Kits include parts & hardware that can be installed without the need to modify the air frame by cutting, welding, drilling, riveting, etc. For example; the Mooney M20 A thru G, early J's can installed belts using a tube clamp in a fashion very much like what Mooney did when they started including harnesses as standard equipment. The Cessna 177/177A and Cessna 200 Series Minor Change Kits use an existing nut plate where the cabin assist/passenger assist strap/handle are currently located. How is this a "legal" conforming installation? Please see; AC43.13-2B, Chpt 9
I CAN'T FIND A BELT FOR MY PLANE ON YOUR WEBSITE. CAN I STILL GET SHOULDER HARNESSES?
Please contact us. It's possible we have ordered them for a customer but just don't have them shown on our website. If it isn't something we've done before, we will send you a couple of worksheets so you (or your mechanic) can gather the details from your existing restraints that we will need to locate the appropriate replacement part number. Please call us at 800-653-5112 or email us at cs@alphaaviation.com. Normally the cost is no more than what you would pay for our regularly listed belts. Automotive Style / Continuous Loop Restraints run more than a standard aircraft 3-point restraint replacement. Please Note: Special Orders are non-returnable and non-refundable.
I WANT A COLOR YOU DON’T HAVE IN STOCK. HOW MUCH MORE WILL IT COST ME TO GET A SPECIAL ORDER COLOR?
There is no extra cost for special order colors. There is a 3-4 week lead time to shipment. Special Orders are non-refundable and non-returnable.
DO I GET AN 8130-3 AIRWORTHINESS TAG WITH MY BELTS?
Yes. All of our belts come standard with an 8130-3 Airworthiness Tag and a Certificate of Conformance.
I LIVE IN AN EASA COUNTRY - CAN I ORDER REPLACEMENT RESTRAINTS FROM YOU?
Yes. Under the bi-lateral agreement in place between the FAA and EASA, the FAA 8130-3 is accepted in place of EASA Form 1.
DO YOU HAVE EASA APPROVAL ON ANY OF YOUR STC's?
Yes. We have EASA STC approval on our Cessna 100 Series Shoulder Harness STC Kit. The Beechcraft Shoulder Harness STC and Piper PA28/32 STC Kits have been submitted to EASA and we should have those very soon. Our other STC Kits will require a One-Time EASA Validation. This is not as complicated or as costly as many believe. We can help point you in the right direction if you would like to pursue that.
I HAVE MISPLACED MY 8130-3 AIRWORTHINESS CERTIFICATE. CAN YOU SEND ME A COPY?
We do our best to keep a copy of your 8130-3 on file. If we are unable to locate it the belts will need to be returned to AmSafe for inspection and re-certification. We do not have copies of the conformance certificates. It is possible we could ask AmSafe for a replacement copy if necessary.
WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR BELTS?
AmSafe, the leader in Aviation Safety Harnesses, manufactures our belts to our specifications.
WHAT MATERIAL ARE YOUR BELTS MADE WITH?
Our belts are made using Polyester webbing. This reduces pilling and fading due to the exposure to the sun.
IF I PLACE A SPECIAL ORDER, HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO FOR ME TO RECEIVE IT?
Normal lead time on special orders is 3 weeks if drop shipping directly to you from the factory. If you’ve ordered an STC, the lead time is 4 weeks to shipment as the belts have to come to Alpha Aviation to be put with the STC Kit. Rear Lap Belts require only 2 weeks to shipment. Inflatable Replacements require a 12 to 14 week lead to shipment.
I’M A LARGER PERSON. WILL YOUR BELTS FIT MY NEEDS?
They should. We have allowed a few extra inches in our measurements to accommodate a larger pilot, co-pilot or passenger. We can supply our lengths to you for confirmation, and if longer assemblies are needed we can order something.
CAN I GET AN EXTENSION WITH MY 3 POINT SHOULDER HARNESS BELTS?
It is possible to get an extension for a lap belt only. It is not recommended to add an extension to a 3 point diagonal shoulder harness as it will cause an incorrect placement of the shoulder harness across the torso, and put the buckle in the wrong area. We recommend purchasing a longer connecter section of lap belt if extra length is required. Please call us or email us for additional information. 800-653-5112 or cs@alphaaviation.com
I ORDERED THE FIXED STRAP BELTS, BUT NOW I’M THINKING I SHOULD HAVE GONE WITH THE INERTIAL REEL STYLE. CAN I EXCHANGE THEM?
Yes, if the belts have not been installed. Please call us or email us for additional information. All belts must be returned with the 8130-3 Airworthiness Certificate. A $300.00 fee will be assessed if we have to return them to AmSafe for re-certification. Please contact us at 800-653-5112 or cs@alphaaviation.com
I ORDERED AN IN-STOCK COLOR, BUT NOW THAT I HAVE THEM, THE COLOR DOESN’T QUITE MATCH MY INTERIOR. CAN I RETURN THEM AND ORDER A DIFFERENT COLOR?
Yes, if the belts haven’t been installed. The only additional costs will be the shipping. All belts must be returned with the 8130-3 Airworthiness Certificate. A $300.00 fee will be assessed if we have to return them to AmSafe for re-certification.
SHOULD I GET THE FIXED STRAP STYLE or THE INERTIAL REEL STYLE?
It’s really a matter of personal preference. We do receive more orders for the inertial reel style. We suggest connecting with other pilots on blogs or forums for their feedback.
THE COVER FOR MY INERTIAL REEL IS CRACKED. CAN I GET A REPLACMENT?
Yes. Please call us or email us and we’ll get one right out to you. 800-653-5112 or cs@alphaaviation.com
I SAW BELTS JUST LIKE YOURS ON EBAY. WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
None at all. They are ours. We also sell our products on Ebay as alphaaviationinc.
I HAVE AN INSTALLATION QUESTION. IS THERE SOMEONE I CAN CALL?
Yes. Please call Don at 952-210-1915 and he’ll be happy to assist you. He is the STC creator and will be able to answer any question you may have.
DO YOU HAVE AN FBO DISCOUNT PROGRAM?
Yes. Please contact us at 800-653-5512 or cs@alphaaviation.com for additional details.
I NEED THE STC KIT, BUT I ONLY WANT 1 SEAT. CAN I GET JUST ONE?
We are sorry, but we aren’t allowed to split the kit in keeping in accordance with our STC.
HOW DO I CLEAN MY BELTS?
You can clean them at home with household products (guidelines available here), or they can be dry cleaned (dry cleaning procedure here).