Fill 'er up? No Thanks.

Don't do it. *Get a bigger plane, use less fuel,
or get a smaller CFI.

Good advice. Luckily, most aircraft will fly significantly
overweight, or there would be lots of airplanes falling out of the sky
every day.

One interesting example: Early Ercoupes are certificated at a low-
enough legal weight to fall under the LSA requirements. (Mine had
the higher useful load, which meant that it was NOT LSA.)

The lower useful load of the LSA 'Coupes means that it is virtually
impossible to legally fly with two "real" American men. (Meaning way
over the FAA's 170 pound human.) Thus, you've got a choice -- you
can either carry fuel, or the other adult -- or break the law and
carry both.

FAA examiners (and CFIs who give dual) in LSA Ercoupes must hold their
nose (and ignore the law) in order to fly two-up. Old hands know that
the Ercoupe's increased useful load STC was merely a paperwork mod,
and that all Ercoupes are capable of carrying the greater useful
load.

Nevertheless, if you see two grown men flying in an LSA 'Coupe, you
know they are either out of gas, or illegal!
:-)
--
Jay Honeck
Port Aransas, TX
Pathfinder N56993
www.HarborInnPortA.com
www.AlexisParkInn.com

On Nov 26, 8:20*pm, Jay Honeck wrote:

Good advice. *Luckily, most aircraft will fly significantly
overweight, or there would be lots of airplanes falling out of the sky
every day.

When I volunteered with the B-17 that's now parked next to the Spruce
Goose, I used to point out the 1200-lb maximum crew weight to
visitors, and point out that the airplane carried ten men in heavy
flights suits and flak armor. Impossible.

My grandfather was his crew's armorer in WWII and used to joke about
how they'd always manage to sneak a few extra .50 belts in the tail
after they'd fully loaded the airplane. The pilot had to wonder why
his airplane was so slow and tail-heavy.