JackinMichigan
Well Known Member
I recently completed max gross weight testing. I loaded my RV-10 with 500 extra pounds and got the CG to within 1/2" of max aft. I fully expected it to act a lot more sluggish, but apart form needing more nose down trim during climbout I couldn't tell any difference in performance. She jumped off the runway and climbed like a witch, just as she always has. It seemed like the plane could have easily taken on another 200 pounds without issue.
Also, cold days at low elevations will generate a lot more lift than hot days at high elevation, yet the max weight is the same for all conditions.
So what determines max gross weight? Is structural? Is it arbitrary?
My father had a friend that was a flight engineer on a B-29, and he said they would load those planes thousands of pounds beyond the max recommended weight by Boeing. They would have to fly in ground effect for a couple hundred miles till they burned off enough fuel to climb.
Also, cold days at low elevations will generate a lot more lift than hot days at high elevation, yet the max weight is the same for all conditions.
So what determines max gross weight? Is structural? Is it arbitrary?
My father had a friend that was a flight engineer on a B-29, and he said they would load those planes thousands of pounds beyond the max recommended weight by Boeing. They would have to fly in ground effect for a couple hundred miles till they burned off enough fuel to climb.