How embarrassing!

On Fri, 27 Aug 2004 11:24:58 GMT, "Roger Long"
wrote:

I told him that would be fine but I would need to know their weights so I
could adjust the fuel load in our 172 N. He emailed back that he is 350 lbs.

I'm quite sure that the seats are not rated for anywhere near that. Even if
they are, as the maintenance officer who has had these 28 year old seats out
many times to repair the trim and covering, there is no way I want to put
350 pounds on them.

Now what do I do? One thing for sure, it's the last time I ask someone I
haven't met to go flying.

My opinion is you have no choice. You can't fly with him AND his
compatriot and you have to tell him that and tell him why. With full
fuel in our FBO's very new C172's, you exceed the maximum allowable
weight if you attempt to carry four FAA standard size people.

There are several Java script W&B calculators out there on the
internet, and I just ran the numbers for a 172N. Even with no one
else beside you and the 350lb reporter, it still put the mark off the
scale.

You have to tell him that you cannot safely carry him.

If anything, this should tell the media just how limited the weight
carrying ability many general aviation aircraft really are, which
should give them a clue as to what a poor bomb they'd make.

Corky Scott

Isn't there a weight limit for the floor of a 172? 200 lb for each front
seat comes to mind. As a somewhat reformed fatty, I doubt very seriously
that he will be offended if you simply tell him that the plane cannot carry
a passenger of his size. Point out that if the floor fails he might have
one of those looooooong falls.

I have a similar problem with a 300+ friend who wants a ride in the Archer.
I think the W&B will be OK, but since we recently had to reskin the wing
under the wingwalk because of damage, I don't want him walking on the wing.

--
Bob (Chief Pilot, White Knuckle Airways)

I don't have to like Bush and Cheney (Or Kerry, for that matter) to love
America

"Corky Scott" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 27 Aug 2004 11:24:58 GMT, "Roger Long"
wrote:

I told him that would be fine but I would need to know their weights so I
could adjust the fuel load in our 172 N. He emailed back that he is 350
lbs.

I'm quite sure that the seats are not rated for anywhere near that. Even
if
they are, as the maintenance officer who has had these 28 year old seats
out
many times to repair the trim and covering, there is no way I want to put
350 pounds on them.

Now what do I do? One thing for sure, it's the last time I ask someone I
haven't met to go flying.

My opinion is you have no choice. You can't fly with him AND his
compatriot and you have to tell him that and tell him why. With full
fuel in our FBO's very new C172's, you exceed the maximum allowable
weight if you attempt to carry four FAA standard size people.

There are several Java script W&B calculators out there on the
internet, and I just ran the numbers for a 172N. Even with no one
else beside you and the 350lb reporter, it still put the mark off the
scale.

You have to tell him that you cannot safely carry him.

If anything, this should tell the media just how limited the weight
carrying ability many general aviation aircraft really are, which
should give them a clue as to what a poor bomb they'd make.

Corky Scott

"Bob Chilcoat" wrote in message
...
Isn't there a weight limit for the floor of a 172? 200 lb for each front
seat comes to mind.

I can't imagine that it's 200lbs per seat. I know too many people over 200
lbs (myself included) who pilot or ride in 172s.

If there is such a limit, it's woefully poorly documented.