Best Airbag Harness for 2011
by Jérôme Daoust, revised 2011/8/21
Please send in comments on your harness. It will help others to shop for their next one.
Unwanted features:
· Footrest / stirrup.
· Front leg fairing.
My body: Male, 5' 10" (178 cm) and 172 lb (78.1 kg).
My selection: On 2011/8/20, I decided NOT to purchase a harness with an airbag. Impact energy absorption varies too much depending on inflation time (after launch), airflow direction (OK with under seat inlet, not good with side inlet when falling vertically) and if the reserve parachute was deployed (less energy absorption if no longer under seat). Maybe in a few years these issues will be resolved. But for now the benefit of reduced storage volume is not worth the safety concerns. See instead Best Regular Harness for 2011.
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Color code: |
Good |
So-So |
Bad |
Unknown |
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Model |
Talk |
Size |
Revie-wer |
True legs strap (easy on privates)? |
Easy entry without footrest. |
Seat plate material. |
Cupped seating: Reclined seat board + Full back support. |
Built-in speedbar retractor. |
Airbag pre-fills before launch. |
Inlet location. |
Side protection. |
Can use quick-links instead of carabiners. |
Storage easily fits rucksack. |
Built-in reserve container. Location? |
Extra comment. |
|
Advance / Axess 2 Air |
M? |
Jérôme |
No. They go to the chest strap. |
Website says "easy to sit into after liftoff". |
Carbon fiber. |
"getting started" doc: Seat board angle can be quickly set to any position. Designed for flying without a stirrup. |
Yes. |
Yes. Airbag does not need external airflow. Needs more care when packing and must be stored open. |
Small hole at the base of the harness back pocket. |
No. |
Yes. But 2 connecting straps. |
Under seat. RHS handle. |
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Gin Gliders / Gingo AirLight |
M? |
Jérôme |
Yes. |
Wood. Optional Carbon fiber. |
Has seat depth adjustment straps. |
Yes. |
No. |
Side: Airflow problem during vertical descent. |
Optional. |
Yes. |
Under seat. Adjustable volume. RHS handle. |
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Swing / Connect Light 2 |
L? |
Jérôme |
Yes. |
Carbon fiber. |
Has seat depth adjustment straps. |
No. |
No. |
Side: Airflow problem during vertical descent. |
No. |
Yes. |
Under seat. RHS handle. |
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Woody Valley / Velvet 2 Airbag |
L? |
Jérôme |
Conflicting pictures. |
Wood. Optional Polycarbonate. |
Has seat depth adjustment straps. |
No. |
No. |
Front / Bottom. |
No. |
Yes. |
Under seat. RHS handle. |
"Body control" waist strap. |
Extra info
Safety problem with airbag harnesses.
Study done for reversible airbag harness, but safety concerns applicable to all airbag harnesses: DHV, 2011/2/2: Safety problem - Convertible rucksack harness.
