Aerobatic Airplanes and Seatbelt Cutters
Thread Starter
Aerobatic Airplanes and Seatbelt Cutters
Anyone else carry a seatbelt cutter in their cockpit ?
Moderator
Yup, my amphibian has one above the windshield, easy reach for each occupant. That said, both my planes have four point Hooker harness, so I'm not to worried about them not opening.
Thread drift a little: A few Cessnas are still around with mis installed Cessna single shoulder harnesses, which remain connected even if you open the lap belt. Letting alone this should be corrected, belt cutters are vital in these planes, as you won't get out from hanging, unless you wriggle out, or cut the belt.
Thread drift a little: A few Cessnas are still around with mis installed Cessna single shoulder harnesses, which remain connected even if you open the lap belt. Letting alone this should be corrected, belt cutters are vital in these planes, as you won't get out from hanging, unless you wriggle out, or cut the belt.
Thread Starter
Moderator
The Victorinox Rescue Tool is excellent. There are at least two versions. I prefer the one which enables you to open the knife with one hand, it's got a loop in the top of the blade for easy opening. Bear in mind though, a seatbelt cutter has the one design feature that you can using is safely pulling toward yourself, and sight unseen if needed, it can't cut you. The rescue tool can very certainly cut you!
Thread Starter
The Victorinox Rescue Tool is excellent. There are at least two versions. I prefer the one which enables you to open the knife with one hand, it's got a loop in the top of the blade for easy opening. Bear in mind though, a seatbelt cutter has the one design feature that you can using is safely pulling toward yourself, and sight unseen if needed, it can't cut you. The rescue tool can very certainly cut you!
Not quite the same model as I have, but I prefer something like this.
Hook onto the webbing, just pull to cut. I don't want anything more complex, or more pointy, for that particular purpose. I'm not saying I wouldn't happily have the Victorinox item for other purposes (indeed a Swiss Champ is a fixture on my person most waking hours), but not for cockpit escape.
G
Hook onto the webbing, just pull to cut. I don't want anything more complex, or more pointy, for that particular purpose. I'm not saying I wouldn't happily have the Victorinox item for other purposes (indeed a Swiss Champ is a fixture on my person most waking hours), but not for cockpit escape.
G
Keep in mind how to egress before cutting the belt . You may have to put your feet on the instrument panel to get out . Using your legs to push out as most people struggle to do chin ups in a 1G environment . A tumbling aircraft may push you into the seat or trap you with high G loading . Using your legs to get out might be an option .
Those big cutters look useful .
Those big cutters look useful .
