4 and a lap child in a Cessna?

Recent crash of the 310 in KSRR where an 11 year old was not restrained. Granted, there were other fatalities so maybe he would not have survived restrained.
 
As long as the airplane is within weight and CG limits, it all comes down to how safe the pilot wants his passengers to be.

Personally, I don't see much of a problem with it. Of course, I wouldn't do it on a turbulent day, and I'm also very confident in my ability to put a plane safely and smoothly into a field in the event of an emergency landing.

That said, this is also coming from a guy who isn't a parent, flies a plane without shoulder restraints, and used to ride around town in the back of a pickup as a kid (wouldn't do that one nowadays).

There's nothing wrong with being more cautious. Other posters here have made very good points. Just understand the potential risks and make your decisions accordingly.
 
USMCmech said:
Any pilot who has seen what real turbulence looks like would NEVER let their child ride as a lap baby. Regardless if it's a Cessna or a Boeing. If you wouldn't do it in your car, then don't in an airplane.

You CAN NOT hold on to your baby in a crash, it' like catching a 120lb barbell.



It is legal, but not safe at all IMHO.
Click to expand...

Exactly my thoughts
 
I had this same thing come up awhile ago. I called AOPA. They have a letter from the FAA and, IIRC, it is legal. Give 'em a call and they will email you the letter.
 
This is a lot like class g ifr without a clearance. It may be legal, but it is not the smartest thing to do.
 
I agree that you don't need one legally:

§ 91.107 Use of safety belts, shoulder harnesses, and child restraint systems.
(a) Unless otherwise authorized by the Administrator—

(3) Except as provided in this paragraph, each person on board a U.S.-registered civil aircraft (except a free balloon that incorporates a basket or gondola or an airship type certificated before November 2, 1987) must occupy an approved seat or berth with a safety belt and, if installed, shoulder harness, properly secured about him or her during movement on the surface, takeoff, and landing. For seaplane and float equipped rotorcraft operations during movement on the surface, the person pushing off the seaplane or rotorcraft from the dock and the person mooring the seaplane or rotorcraft at the dock are excepted from the preceding seating and safety belt requirements. Notwithstanding the preceding requirements of this paragraph, a person may:

(i) Be held by an adult who is occupying an approved seat or berth, provided that the person being held has not reached his or her second birthday and does not occupy or use any restraining device;

(ii) Use the floor of the aircraft as a seat, provided that the person is on board for the purpose of engaging in sport parachuting; or

(iii) Notwithstanding any other requirement of this chapter, occupy an approved child restraint system furnished by the operator or one of the persons described in paragraph (a)(3)(iii)(A) of this section provided that:

(A) The child is accompanied by a parent, guardian, or attendant designated by the child's parent or guardian to attend to the safety of the child during the flight;

(B) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(3)(iii)(B)( 4 ) of this action, the approved child restraint system bears one or more labels as follows:

( 1 ) Seats manufactured to U.S. standards between January 1, 1981, and February 25, 1985, must bear the label: “This child restraint system conforms to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards”;

( 2 ) Seats manufactured to U.S. standards on or after February 26, 1985, must bear two labels:

( i ) “This child restraint system conforms to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards”; and

( ii ) “THIS RESTRAINT IS CERTIFIED FOR USE IN MOTOR VEHICLES AND AIRCRAFT” in red lettering;
Click to expand...

However, I also bolded the fact that you should use a safety seat, and one that is certified for aircraft as G's come from all angles in aircraft at all times. In cars, the typical is acceleration and deceleration. A motor vehicle safety seat may not protect against common aircraft injuries.

However, a child safety seat is only REQUIRED on or after the childs second birthday until the safety harness properly fits them.
 
I'll throw in my 2 cents. If the kid gets hurt, what are the odds that the parents will sue the PIC? People LOVE to sue nowadays, so I would be VERY cautious about this.
 
Muff3n said:
I would strongly suggest against taking a lap baby along. If an emergency happened or you encountered some really rough turbulence it could get nasty, quick.
Click to expand...
wells said. The other day I hit some really rough turbulence in a 150 over the lava formations beetween Grants and Albuquerque that sent my 10 lb flight gear bag flying all over the place. It could have easily sent a 30 lb baby flying if the person holding it wasn't vigilant
 
Chucco said:
What's the useful load in a 182?
Click to expand...

Well the 182 I have access to has an empty weight of 2305lb, an MTOW of 3100 LB and a MLW of 2950 LB.

There is no way I'm going to allow a lap child in any light airplane I operate, 14 CFR 91 permitting or not. It's just too much risk.
 
Lots of good posts regarding this topic. Just take a step back and look at it with all the technicality aside. Does it seem like a good idea..not really. Personally, i wouldn't do it.

Turbine
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top