That sounds about right. Our Cherokee 180 is right at the edge of the forward
envelope with 400 lbs (marginally fatso pilot + copilot) at full fuel. I can tell
flying it there, because the elevator trim barely runs out on a slow short final to
landing (80 mph IAS or so). That's part of the reason a bit of power in the flare on
these Cherokees helps keep the nose from "plopping" on landing.

I've run the math with a matlab script that implies it's virtually
*impossible* to aft-load the thing. Put a 120 lb pilot, enough fuel for a spin around
the patch, the maximum of 100 lbs in the baggage compartment, and enough fat-asses in
the back seat to gross... still not outside the aft limit.

Of course, your plane may vary so do your own W&B. Ever notice how all the
Cessnas on the field have their nose in the air after a snow but the Pipers never do.

Another note is moving the CG further aft gives a non-trivial speed increase
for a Cherokee. I've seen almost 10 mph with three 200 lb people in a Cherokee 150
from front/front/rear - front/rear/baggage. Tough to climb over that back seat,
BTW....

-Cory


Frode Berg wrote:
: Hi!

: I am part owner of an Arrow 180 hp.

: We haven't had a weight and balance done in a while, and I was wondering one
: thing.
: It seems on the old numbers that me and my wife cannot ride in the front
: seat together when fully fueled....

: I weigh in at around 100 kg (approx 220 lbs) and wife is around 70 kg
: (around 150 lbs)

: Is this normal for this plane, or am I doing something wierd with the
: figures? I would think that two adults should be ok in this plane with full
: tanks? Its an arrow for goodness.....hehe....no?

: Any input appreciated.
: I will be doing my nigh rating next week, and would be nice to know if my
: instructor and I will be legal flying around in the dark with full tanks....

: Frode Berg
: Norway



--
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* The prime directive of Linux: *
* - learn what you don't know, *
* - teach what you do. *
* (Just my 20 USm$) *
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