Aero-Tips!

A good pilot is always learning -- how many times have you heard this old standard throughout your flying career? There is no truer statement in all of flying (well, with the possible exception of "there are no old, bold pilots.")

Aero-News has called upon the expertise of Thomas P. Turner, master CFI and all-around-good-guy, to bring our readers -- and us -- daily tips to improve our skills as aviators. Some of them, you may have heard before... but for each of us, there will also be something we might never have considered before, or something that didn't "stick" the way it should have the first time we memorized it for the practical test.

Look for our daily Aero-Tips segments, coming each day to you through the Aero-News Network.

Aero-Tips 07.22.06

In the 07.18.2006 Aero-Tips, in discussing weight and balance considerations I quipped: "-- and THAT assumes an FAA-standard 170-pound adult!"

Now, I unfortunately don't meet that particular description myself... heck, I wasn't quite that light at my best running weight while an Air Force officer! But one reader kindly sent an update on the FAA's view on (how can we kindly say it?) our expanding population.

From the Feds

It seems we've all been putting on a little bit of weight. Standard average passenger weights were revised on November 7, 1995, and again on August 11, 2004. The table below comes from Advisory Circular 120-27E, Aircraft Weight and Balance Control:

The data above are based on US government health surveys. The figures include clothing allowance (hence the heavier winter weight) and a 16-lb allowance for carry-on bags.

The reader strongly emphasizes that these are average figures used in FAA-approved weight and balance control programs for air carrier operations (evidenced by the 120-series AC number). Actual weights must be used in aircraft to understand the true loaded condition.

Aero-tip of the day: Be realistic when making weight-and-balance calculations.

FMI: Aero-Tips