Effects of Weight

Effects of Weight

Most modern aircraft are so designed that if all seats
are occupied, all baggage allowed by the baggage
compartment is carried, and all of the fuel tanks are
full, the aircraft will be grossly overloaded. This type of
design requires the pilot to give great consideration to the
requirements of the trip. If maximum range is required,
occupants or baggage must be left behind, or if the
maximum load must be carried, the range, dictated by the
amount of fuel on board, must be reduced.
Some of the problems caused by overloading an aircraft
are:

• the aircraft will need a higher takeoff speed, which
results in a longer takeoff run.
• both the rate and angle of climb will be reduced.
• the service ceiling will be lowered.
• the cruising speed will be reduced.
• the cruising range will be shortened.
• maneuverability will be decreased.
• a longer landing roll will be required because the
landing speed will be higher.
• excessive loads will be imposed on the structure,
especially the landing gear.

The POH or AFM includes tables or charts that give the
pilot an indication of the performance expected for any
weight. An important part of careful preflight planning
includes a check of these charts to determine the aircraft is
loaded so the proposed flight can be safely made.