Doug:

You are undoubtedly correct that GW's have been chasing practicality.
It's not quite as bad as all that, though. Ours weighed 2,275 MT w/o
interior, which will be complete in a couple of weeks. We expect 2,400,
all-in. At 6.7 for Jet A, full fuel is about 800#. So, for max. range
with only a pilot, we are above the original "recommended" GW. However,
with full fuel and two in the front, our CG is still well forward. And
even with 4 people at 4,000#, it is still forward of the aft CG. So, my
question to the group is exactly the same as yours: Other than being
heavier and being in different places within the CG range, what other
(non-emergency) flight characteristics develop between 3,000 and
4,000#'s? Your point about emergency situations is well-taken, and I
wish I knew where the "safe" emergency situation GW/CG was.

Brian