max weight for front seat pilot

[shafs64]

was that with the rear seat empty

 

 

[facthunter]

Nose heavy isn't unstable. It makes it hard to stall and if you come in slow you haven't much elevator authority. Just keep a bit more speed on. Tail heavy will kill you quicker.

 

I think the rear seat is still a bit forward of the C of G range. Wouldn't be much in it. Don't take my word for it though. I've heard of strapping lead near the rear. Weight at the extremities may adversely affect spin recovery..Nev

 

 

[shafs64]

yes if I had a choice if would be nose heavy. As tail heavy is death

 

 

[Patrick Normoyle]

C of G is normally half way behind the pilot seat and the rear seat, I'm in the range of 110 a 125 kg and never had a problem flying my Fisher Mk 1 for over 500 hours, I have flown strut braced and Maxairs with no problems. Awesome aircraft.

 

 

[shafs64]

if that's that case I would be ok. as I have shed some Kgs since I started this thread.

 

 

[facthunter]

I think the book covers it well in principle for max and min front seat weight. Nothing I say should imply acceptance of out of CG range operation. Tandem seats and fuselage fuel tanks should be regarded as more critical. Nev

 

 

[Rastus]

I would have thought that, with each aircraft being different, a proper weight and balance should be done to calculate the proper max/min weights for each one.

 

A tandem two-seat glider will have a Wt & Bal placard in both cockppits detailing the Max/Min wts when flown solo and another showing the Max/Min on either seat when there is a known weight in the other seat.

 

The example is a Wt & Bal I did a while ago on a Puchacz that belonged to my club at the time. I have a GFA issued Wt & Bal Authority amongst other things.

 

Have a look at the Placards at the bottom of the page. Any aircraft can have similar loading placards generated by an authorised person.

 

Robert

 

Copy of GRI_120212_WT&BAL.pdf

 

Copy of GRI_120212_WT&BAL.pdf

 

Copy of GRI_120212_WT&BAL.pdf

[Rastus]

Some further thoughts.

 

All aircraft will have a maximum wt specified on the seat for structural reasons.

 

It may be the ability of the seat and associated mounting structure to support the load (pilot) in a heavy landing or crash. Or it may be the strength of the safety harness assembly to restrain the pilot in the same circumstances.

 

Referring to the example glider Wt & Bal, you will notice the placarded maximum pilot wts do not exceed 110Kg for this very reason. So, while the centre of gravity may be within the safe range with a very heavy pilot, the structure may not be able to support the weight safely.

 

Most gliders are designed with a max seat load of 110Kg, but a few are 115Kg and 120Kg.

 

The Drifter would be similar, I would expect. The designer must have factored in to the design of the structure the maximum loads on the seats. You can build something that will support a tonne on the seat, but the bloody thing would be too heavy to fly within our MTOW limit!

 

Does the Drifter not have a Type Data Sheet document or similar specifying Weight limits, CG position, 'G' limits, Speed limits etc? I've attached the Type Data Sheet for the Pooch as an example. I would not expect the Drifter's to be so involved 'though.

 

If it does, then the information will be published in that.

 

Hopefully I'm not boring everyone to tears!

 

Robert

 

EASA-TCDS-A.312_SZD--50--3_Puchacz-01-22032007.pdf

 

EASA-TCDS-A.312_SZD--50--3_Puchacz-01-22032007.pdf

 

EASA-TCDS-A.312_SZD--50--3_Puchacz-01-22032007.pdf

[shafs64]

Rastus thanks for this information. I was thinking that the extra weight on the seat in turns would stress it and the airframe.