If your limit is 45 over gross, how far over your limit is ok?

It depends on the aircraft.

Well then, what does the word "limit" mean to you?

As a test pilot, I agree there is no simple pat answer, and a previous
post went into many of the factors that go into aircraft handling at
high weights. But I'm not a test pilot, and have no intention of being
one. And I've found in life that most of the time I've gotten into
trouble with the laws of physics has been when I've been "over the
limit" in one form or another. I'll stick with the book.

That said, it would be nice if the book addressed limits a bit more
completely (such as a graph showing the maximum takeoff weight vs
density altitude). It doesn't, so I won't go there.

Jose
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