"Newps" wrote in message
news

"Gary Drescher" wrote in message
news:0pRSc.137433$eM2.73403@attbi_s51...

Is it actually unsafe to have two people sitting side-by-side and sharing

a

seat belt, if their combined weight is within the belt's design limit? (I
don't know; just asking.)

It's not legal unless the airplane is designed for that.

What regulation does it violate?

I recently asked the Boston FSDO if seatbelt sharing is legal, and they said
yes. They cited an interpretation from May 8, 1972 from the Acting Associate
General Counsel of the Regulations and Codification Division: "...as long as
approved safety belts are carried aboard the aircraft for all occupants, and
the structural strength requirements for the seats are not exceeded, the
seating of two persons whose combined weights does not exceed 170 pounds
under one safety belt where the belt can be properly secured around both
persons would not be a violation of the regulations for an operation under
Part 91."

--Gary