Plane refueling

[jams]

I'm on a flight from NM to Texas and the pilot says the single point refueling system is not working so they have to fill up the tanks the old fashion way- one wing at a time.

Then we find out they put too much fuel in, so we are overweight. Now they have to remove fuel.

Lastly, they checked the numbers again and we were still overweight so we had to wait for three volunteers to leave the plane so we could take off.

This is a first for me. I am glad they did their math right otherwise we would be kissing one of those mountains in NM.

[Quik289]

When it's this hot the air is not "dense" enough to provide the same lift that you get on a nice cool morning. Definitely a good thing they are doing the math. The calculation is, of course, most critical for take offs, or you'll be kissing the ground just past the end of the runway. Same reason your Cobra won't make as much horsepower on those roasting hot days as it will on a cool fall or spring morning - air is too thin! I note you were posting at 5 PM, hottest time of the day. Be glad they didn't decide to wait for midnight!

[jams]

I wonder how accurate their calculations are considering they don't know the actual weight of all passengers. I say this because in the two rows in front of me there were two individuals that weighed 400+lbs. I guess everything evens out because my son only weighed 45 lbs.

In the end it was just a minor inconvenience.

[Ron61]

Jams,

When I was working and getting ready to fly back to Ohio, I had to catch a flight out of here and they only used small twin engine commuter planes. They weighed our baggage and then each passenger and split it where they had the same weight on each side. That was the last time I flew on one of their flights. Also I was sitting just behind the pilot and we were going to the Sacramento airport, so he had the co-pilot help him and they followed the freeway all the way there.

Ron

[Paul F]

Wow Ron. I'll bet you were glad it was a clear day!

[jams]

What would happen if people lied about their weight!!!!

[392cobra]

Originally Posted by jams

What would happen if people lied about their weight!!!!

I wonder if they had a rule on the maximum percentage of women allowed on a given flight for this very reason ?
I wonder what the fudge factor would be just to be safe for take off.

[jams]

I would guess there is a large margin of error.

Wouldn't it suck if you were on a plane that couldn't take off because some fat lady lied about her weight.

[Tommy]

I have one comment and a story on this topic. First, for multi-engine aircraft, the weight versus air density calculation is done to assure the plane can keep flying if one engine quits at the most inopportune moment during takeoff. As long as everything works as planned, a few pounds won't be noticed.

Second, I was an instructor pilot working in a Runway Supervisory Unit controlling local air traffic at an Air Force pilot training base when a visiting KC-135 tanker taxied out to depart. We handed control of the runway back to the main control tower so they could handle the tanker. All the local aircraft were directed away from the runway and we heard the tower clear the tanker for takeoff. The big tanker taxied on to the runway and just sat there. After a minute or so, we called the tower to find out if there was a problem. We heard the tower ask the tanker pilot if there was a problem. He replied, "We calculated our fuel load based on the forecast for five knots of headwind. We're waiting for that wind." I glanced over at the windsock and saw it sitting lifeless in the still air. About a minute later a passing breeze stirred the sock and the tanker's engines started to spin up. The sock was still flapping a little when he released brakes and started the slowest takeoff roll I've ever seen. I saw the nose of the tanker begin to rise with about 1,500 feet of runway remaining, and he lifted off with about 1,000 feet of runway remaining.

[PDUB]

Originally Posted by Tommy

he released brakes and started the slowest takeoff roll I've ever seen.

Slower than this?


‪Russian cargo plane needs more runway‬‏ - YouTube


I think they forgot to let the extra three volunteers off of this one!!

[PatBuckley]

It's simple - fat people should not fly unless they are willing to pay for two seats. If they can afford to feed themselves they can afford it.....

[HI Cobra]

I am wondering when the airlines will start charging by weight. I am sure
they could arrange for a private weigh-in booth prior to ticket purchase and/or
adjustment for those who prepaid with "their" weight guesstimate. Let the
super heavies pay their fair share.

[Karl Bebout]

And a discount for fly-weights?

[HI Cobra]

No discounts - probably a base weight with additional charges for pounds over.

Kind of like skydiving with tandem passengers - flat rate plus $1/pound extra
for anyone over 200 pounds. (No 300 or 400 pounders here though!)

[Murky781]

OK..that video of the Russian plane taking off, you can't tell me that pilot and copilot didn't need new skivies after that lift off. I'll bet they damn near broke the yoke pulling back to get that nose up. kick the tires and light the fires might be the only prayer that got that bird up!

[crASH]

Originally Posted by PDUB

Slower than this?


‪Russian cargo plane needs more runway‬‏ - YouTube !!

"The vodka burner is rolling....We have Smirnoff." Too funny!

[Buzz]

Originally Posted by HI Cobra

I am wondering when the airlines will start charging by weight. I am sure
they could arrange for a private weigh-in booth prior to ticket purchase and/or
adjustment for those who prepaid with "their" weight guesstimate. Let the
super heavies pay their fair share.

A combined luggage-plus-passenger maximum with additional charges for going over might work. Light folks could fly with more baggage and heavier people could avoid/reduce the penalties by traveling light.