Installation tips for Roundabout RF on aircraft

[cantabdad]

Thanks to everyone for the recommendations about which seat to take on our flight. In preparation, I re-read the manual for our Roundabout 40 and the instructions for RF, lap belt installation.

The manual is very skimpy on aircraft installation and a few things are still unclear to me. First, do I need to use the lock-offs? I thought I could skip that since airplane seatbelts can be manually tightened.

Second, where is the buckle supposed to sit once everything is tightened -- on top of the seat near baby's legs, or below that near the lock-off? If the latter, am I likely to need a belt extender? On my last flight, I took a good look at the seatbelt at it seemed awfully short to get through the belt path, but I could not be sure.

Ideally, I'd like to practice this beforehand but I don't have access to a vehicle with lap-only belts.

 

[wendytthomas]

You'll install the seat without the lockoffs, and the buckle will end up under the child's legs. You can install it right on top of the cover if you want, that's generally easiest. No extender necessary for a rear facing installation (or forward with the little Roundabouts).

Glad you're taking it on board!

Wendy

 

[cantabdad]

Thanks for your help. The Roundabout fit very well and it was easy to install once I routed the belt up and over the cover as you suggested.

I believe we have the smallest version of the Roundabout (RA40) and it easily fit between the armrests on the 777-200 that we flew. It was also easy to install in the taxi on the other end, though I then had to use the lock-offs because the car had neither LATCH/ISOFIX nor automatic locking belts.

On one of our flights, the Air France crew was not so excited to have it onboard, but I'll save that for another post.