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

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Strategically loading an aircraft with an aft center of gravity (CG) can enhance performance by reducing drag and improving stall characteristics, provided flight limitations are respected.
The article emphasizes the importance of understanding the factors that contribute to accidents, even among highly trained and experienced pilots, referencing discussions around "Why Smart Pilots Crash."
A student pilot's overconfidence, frequent instructor changes, and tendency to blame instructors for poor performance are highlighted as potential "red flags" for an anti-authority personality, sparking a discussion on the complexities of flight instruction and student psychology.

See a mistake? Contact us.

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.