Dick - you are FORTUNATE to be able to fly WITH an observer. Round these parts, if I didn't figure out a way to fly by myself, I'd fly less than I do already, which ain't NEAR enough.

Your points are valid, and well-made, though. THis is about safety, and reliable double-checks of systems... since my Ultimate Eats Belly episode, I've modified everything I do in the pits prior to starting these monsters.

The "pin in tube" restraint is very positive-locking, very reliable, and incredibly strong. I now do that install as a routine on every airplane I assemble. ALum tubing, width of fuse sides, slides inside hardwood blocks that are epoxied to the junction of a bulkhead/former and the plywood main crutch. Locking Pin goes through BOTH blocks, so the horizontal strength is VERY strong.

I have tested this with full power runups, AND "shock" restraint, by leaving pin and rope slightly loose, then nailing throttle... no damage. Those tests get done in a "safe" environment to assure my confidence in reliability.

But - sadly - one must REMEMBER to hook it up. Some kind of automatic engaging restraint would help my feeble memory.