TigerBait

A little more on stopped props.... I put together a POH for my RANS Coyote II-6ES back in 2003 at Buckeye Airport near Phoenix, a wide and long runway, uncontrolled. With an experienced Coyote pilot in the left seat and me in shotgun, we set up multiple high straight-in approaches and shut off the engine/stopped the prop to get accurate "engine off" performance numbers with relative airspeed/rate of descent. My job was to record the numbers (pre-iPhone video capabilities) while he flew. Don't try both at once. Fly it all the way down to the landing and roll to a stop. You will be very surprised how fast the airplane comes down with a stopped prop as compared to windmilling. It is worth experiencing with an experienced pilot along for the ride, and you will probably have a passenger along anyway when it quits. Been there. Or, take a large square piece of cardboard outside on a very windy day, hold it up directly into the wind, and see how draggy it is. You will be surprised. Be safe.

Hey, Warren...I had the same concerns about shoulder harnesses slipping off our shoulders continually. We are not large folks, but the straps would not stay put. Ever. Even using a large loop of 2 inch industrial velcro horizontally between the shoulder straps would not help. If there was a sudden stoppage of forward motion of any sort, our faces would strike the dash easily as bodies are quite elastic when severe deceleration occurs. FD/USA sent me an MRA when I explained what I wanted to do. I understand your geographic dilemma on approvals. I took the F/D harnesses out of the airplane and had a joining strap stitched to the straps at chest level using what are called "cobra clips", very flat locking devices used in utility company fall protection safety harnesses. Designed to be resistant to being opened accidentally and very flat, no comfort issues. The strap has never creeped at all in 6-7 years. There was a company in Phoenix, Arizona specializing in industrial fall protection that did the work for me and were happy to help. (Cash, no paper to make them comfortable with liability...$50 bucks for both and done!) Just a suggestion if there are any "industrial grade" fall safety harness manufacturers in your area. HOOKER makes a great product, but removing and replacing is way different (paperwork) deal than a small modification to enhance personal safety. I'd wager nobody would ever know/notice the mod. It isn't airframe, power plant, or avionics...so maybe the airplane came that way...? If your issue is that the harness is coming loose from its attach points on the airframe, I can''t help you there. By the way, I visited Sunshine Coast some 20 years ago and did some soaring in the Glasshouse Mountains with an airline pilot in a Grob 109 motor glider. We cruised about 30 miles of the most beautiful beach at 300 feet with nary a person in sight anywhere. I love your home! Blue skies!

Hey CT Community....The F/D Ukraine Employees are under siege and need a hand. The employees are having their homes destroyed and country invaded. F/D Employees have been offered positions at other F/D facilities in neighboring countries, but sure could use some American $$ assistance to get there and back on their feet. They are losing literally everything and will have to start their lives all over again. My 2006 CTSW was built by Ukrainian hands. I look at my airplane a little differently today. I'm free to go fly whenever and whenever I like. Nobody's bombing my hanger or shooting at me. Maybe if we could all donate one month's hanger rent (or more or less), we could make a small difference in their lives. I don't have deep pockets, but my home is not being bombed. We can help make a difference. It's a great way to say "Thank You". F/D USA can help you direct funds/donations, since it is difficult to be sure where dollars go with an international money wire these days. That's what I did. Please think about it. My biggest problems pale by comparison. TIGERBAIT, Spokane, WA, USA