Originally Posted by
John Eacott
Australia went through a few accidents some 20-30 years ago which brought the subject of cameraman’s harnesses into the spotlight, and we now have excellent ones available from a few companies. The best uses a ‘3 ring circus’ of overlapping metal rings to hold the harness strap onto the harness, the rings being locked in place by a plastic rod which goes through a sheath to a ripcord pull velcro’d to the top left harness.
Easy to release under any strain, the setup is based on parachute harness principles and is commercially available plus covered under CASA requirements. Not to be secured to the aircraft when the cameraman is strapped into the normal seat harness. The cost is both reasonable and affordable for any company serious about safety.
John,
How foolproof do you think that harness is when used by relatively inexperienced people fumbling with photo gear? Without seeing a picture, I'd worry that someone would inadvertently release their harness.
One might envision a way for the pilot to pull a pin that instantly untethers everybody. Of course, if a harness can snag a fuel control, it can probably snag an instant release control.
Unfortunately probably the best solution would be some fairly intensive training (a full day?) on how to use the system, but of course that's not going to work for what is essentially a sightseeing ride.
p.s.: can you give us a link to the system you're describing? I'd be interested to take a look...