Plain English Meaning
A strap that goes over the shoulders to hold the upper body against the seat, used together with the lap belt to keep the pilot or passenger from being thrown forward in a sudden stop or crash.
Full Definition
An upper-body restraint system that secures a pilot or passenger's torso to the seat, working together with the seat belt (lap belt) to limit forward and lateral movement during turbulence, hard landings, or impact. It typically consists of one or two straps running over the shoulders and connecting to the lap belt or a central buckle.
Context Anchor
You encounter this term during preflight inspection and before-takeoff checks, when confirming that seat belts and shoulder harnesses are installed, secure, and usable.
Derivation
Harness comes from an old word for the used to equip or restrain a or animal for . In , the word points to equipment that holds the person securely in the seat, not just a loose strap.