TRC,
I am surprised that you imply the UK has no criteria laid down for cameraman harnesses and their use? This was addressed in Oz many years ago and the harnesses must have an emergency release to allow one handed detachment from the wander lead, plus a certified attachment point in the aircraft.
Most harnesses are modified parachute rigs with a three ring connection at the top of the rear strap which is released by pulling the 'ripcord'. Attachment within the helicopter has to be such that it is designed to take the shock load in the correct direction, for instance the harness points in many helicopter is
not suitable so a separate approved point is needed. Bell sell one for the 206 which bolts to the wall below the rear seat, and is 'handed' with the pull being outboard whether mounted for left or right door use.
To imply that any pilot worth his salt would allow a cameraman to use a harness that isn't adjusted to keep him in the aircraft is just laughable: or is that an accepted culture now? We also have a camera restraint strap which secures the camera to the harness, again with a quick release function.
Finally, temporary attachments are just that, and there has to be a realistic outlook on approvals or we wouldn't even have somewhere to clip our pens in the cockpit to stop them being a loose article hazard
