There is a reason why some builders have high gross weights. I will
not speak of it on this forum. Typically they have a weight in their mind
that they will not exceed, which is an amount less than the
designated gross weight in the planes documents.
If you want to contact me off-forum, we can discuss the subject.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, June 26, 2009 11:14
AM
Subject: [LML] Guidance on GTOW
I have a topic for discussion.
If the factory, Lancair, designs and builds an airplane. The
airplane is tested. They come up with limits for the airplane and publish a
POH. They give the aircraft a Gross Weight. In the 320/360 they
assign a MGTOW of 1790 lbs. The maximum weight for landing is 1685.
Recently I asked what the gross weight of the Lancair 360 was. I got
multiple answers and all, except one, were different than what Lancair
published. I was also told you make up the gross weight. It can be what
ever you want.
My question is this.......how can we operate these aircraft as safely as
possible when most are disregarding the number the designer assigned as a
gross weight for the aircraft? I know 3 lancair 360's with a claim of a
2100lb Gross weight. Only 400lbs over the highest number the factory would
allow.......400LBS
I could see assigning 1800 lbs but 400lbs over the published limit?
I realize you can take the risk of how the aircraft will behave or if the
gear will handle the heavier loads since its your airplane but if our goal is
promote safe operation of these aircraft and reduce accidents why would you
want to assign a number higher than what the designer assigned?