"Fred Choate" wrote in message
...
Here is a topic that was of discussion at work today:

How much is too much over gross weight?

-----------------------------------------------------reply----------------------------------------

The weights were determined at some point by the manufacturer's testing
process and then presented to the government for approval. The statement
regarding test pilot is absolutely spelled out in the regs. The
manufacturer has to employ those folks to wring it out and their findings
are dumped into the formula which spits out that magic number.

If you are flying in Alaska, the regs allow a 15% fudge factor if you are
below a certain weight. Don't forget to factor in "and balance". You can
push the performance envelope but not the CG. Extra weight will make things
happen more slowly than you are accustomed to experiencing, i.e. take-off
rolls will be longer, climb rate decreased, control inputs
exagerated......of course, you already know this because you had an
instructor with the mind-set to expose you to this situation in a training
environment. Good for him.

Your candid discussion of this weight issue shows a regard for safety and a
desire to enter into a dialogue about a topic that is probably of interest
to many folks on the board.

Now, talk among yourself.....

Stephen
Foley, Alabama