Boosters and planes with lap/shoulder belts

[An Aurora]

Ok, so we all know that boosters are not certified by the FAA for use on commercial aircraft due to the seatbelt systems used (lap-only). So what about small, private aircraft with lap/shoulder belts? Sure, it wouldn't be FAA approved since the FAA does not specifically address personal aircraft with lap/shoulder belts in all seating positions. I'm just thinking about the safety issues here with using a booster.

[Pixels]

I think technically you're not supposed to do it, because it's not certified for aircraft.

To be approved for aircraft, in addition to the car tests, there are two inversion tests that the restraint must pass. Basically, they put a dummy in, and rotate the whole assembly (plane seat, with carseat and dummy attached) forward, and see if the dummy falls out. If it falls out, it fails. If it stays in, it passes. Then they do the same thing, rotating to the side instead of forward.

If a booster makes the belt fit better on an airplane, and there's a shoulder belt to restrain the upper body, you could make the parental decision to use it.

[An Aurora]

Well, yes, but the whole point of the inversion test is that commercial airplanes only have lap belts. Small aircraft with lap/shoulder belts aren't addressed at all. If you did the inversion test with a booster and a l/s belt, the dummy would stay in (actually, I really think that a dummy with a booster and a lap only belt would stay in as well).

[thepeach80]

I would probably do it. There is no point in using a booster w/ a lap only belt, though I saw one last time we flew. I wonder if the FA caught that before we took off?

[An Aurora]

I'm thinking I'll probably do it once DD outgrows the EFTA & TF. It would really be the only option since I'm sure she wouldn't fit the l/s belt properly.

[J-max]

I am not sure how it would work with the older style l/s belts in our plane. The don't retract, but adjust with a slide through buckle (think like the belts on a grocery cart adjust) up where they attach to the wall, then just have a little hole where a post clips in by the hip. I am thinking it would change the angle of the post/clip part so that it would not stay connected. I don't know what they look like in newer planes, so maybe they would work better there.

BTW they would not be "outlawed" by the FAA, using them would be up to the pilot (they are not certified for flight, but it would be "up to the pilot-in-command's discretion")

I can try it this weekend, if I remember to grab the booster when we head out, and will take pics if we do.

[Pixels]

I was just trying to give you all the info about the differences in testing for FAA approval vs not having the approval. With all the info, you are best prepared to make your parental decision. :)

[An Aurora]

The ones on the plane we would be using have an ALR lap belt portion and an ELR shoulder belt and come out of the seat itself. Here's a pic (http://www.aerospace-technology.com/projects/stationair/images/5-cessna-stationair.jpg).

ETA: the ones in the 3rd row are what I was looking at in the plane itself. In that pic it looks like the shoulder belt comes from the ceiling, but I think there's a positioner on the seat.

[J-max]

I was just trying to give you all the info about the differences in testing for FAA approval vs not having the approval. With all the info, you are best prepared to make your parental decision. :)
I wasn't criticizing, just trying to clarify also. (its so hard to read tone)

[J-max]

The ones on the plane we would be using have an ALR lap belt portion and an ELR shoulder belt and come out of the seat itself. Here's a pic (http://www.aerospace-technology.com/projects/stationair/images/5-cessna-stationair.jpg).

ETA: the ones in the 3rd row are what I was looking at in the plane itself. In that pic it looks like the shoulder belt comes from the ceiling, but I think there's a positioner on the seat.
Umm, ya that is a lot nicer and newer plane than we fly :D