Pilot Training Mishaps & Heavy Loads in the Aft End

Readers give their feedback on past Aviation Safety stories. A pilot breaks down the aerodynamics of loading extra weight in the aft of your aircraft. The auothors of The Limits of Expertise send their love, and the subjectivity of student experience is called into question. Find your center of gravity with this insightful commentary from our valued subscribers.

Editorial Staff

Friday, December 11, 2015 at 12:00 AM ET

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Key Takeaways:

An aft aircraft Center of Gravity (CG) can improve performance by reducing drag and stall speed, but pilots must respect aircraft limitations and consider fuel burn effects.
The importance of understanding human factors in aviation safety is highlighted, specifically referencing the book "The Limits of Expertise" which details why well-trained pilots can still be involved in accidents.
The article discusses a student pilot's overconfidence and frequent instructor changes, sparking a debate about potential anti-authority traits versus the complexities of the flight training process and instructor effectiveness.

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I enjoy Aviation Safety and usually end up reading it from cover to cover. The August 2015 article, “Some Weight In The Back?” is pretty good for those wishing to eke out a little more speed by carefully loading the airplane toward its aft CG.

As you point out, when the CG moves forward, a greater downward force must be applied by the horizontal stabilizer, thus inducing more drag. However, this aerodynamic load is as real as if weight were added, so the wing must carry this added “load” as well as the gross weight.