"John T" wrote in message
news:KnANm.23$C3.9@llnews...
My partner and I are having a discussion about how the original pilot's
shoulder belt tensioner is supposed to work in our 1978 Arrow III. Currently,
it always applies tension, which bothers him a bit during long flights. He
thinks it should latch or ratchet so that once it finds a position, it should
stay put without the tension tugging on him.

I have a more cynical view of 1978 airplane technology. I've suggested a
clothes pin be put on the belt just outside the retractor. I'm thinking he
has too many hours flying a Lexus.

Any comments on whether this is a design flaw or a mechanism failure? Annual
is coming due and we're working on the squawk list.

Thanks!