Would you takeoff 25 lbs over gross?

[apcooper]

On saturday I will be taking two friends up in a Cessna 172 and just realized that since I'm the first flight of the day for the rental that the tanks will be full. I calculated that based on all our weights we will bean issue here. I will be at sea level with a 45025 over max TO weight. I'm in a delema. Should I fly for a half hour to get to gross with only one pax and delay the flight or just bend the rules a little bit. Don't we all do that sometime or another. Kind of like driving 5 mph over the posted speed but the cops won't usually care. Obviously syphoning fuel is out of the question and extremely dangerous in my book. I will be using a 4,300 ft runway at sea level. On the other hand IMHO taking off at gross in a 172 in Aspen on a hot summer afternoon is legal but not at all safe. What should I do?

 

[check6]

Why not call the dispatcher the day before and request for the plane not to be fueled?

 

[Onlyflyfreight]

With your experience (if it’s true), why are YOU asking this question?

 

[BE200Driver]

You have "a lot" of Total Time and "too many to count" in the experience discription and you are asking this question?

How about simply leaving a note or message to those responsible (ie: flight school or FBO) to leave it down a bit. I do it all the time. Easy solution.

 

[siucavflight]

No...

 

[Metro752]

Posting that you are going to slightly bend the rules, which isn't very OK in the eyes of the feds, on this message board, is always a bad idea.

Over gross is over gross. Lose 25lbs, its not that hard, ya'll need to lose some weight, catch my drift. Seriously, none of you drink anything until after you get in the air.

(EDIT: When I clicked reply there were no responses yet. I had to go put the windows up outside because it just started raining, then I typed my goofy response, clicked submit, and a ton of people already posted.)

 

[buckdanny]

You still have 2 days ahead of you. It should be plenty of time to give notice to your FBO not to fill up the airplane. Every flight schools I tought at or took lesson from would not fill the tanks the night before at the customer's request if there was a weight and balance issue. 25 lbs is nothing, people do bend the rules but you have to draw a line somewhere for the legality aspect. You never know for a fact how much weight you exactly put in the aircraft. Bottom line is, the paperwork has to be within limits. If a fed shows up upon landing to do a routine ramp inspection and you are the lucky winner, he is going to ask to see your weight and balance. Bottom line is, I would not bend the rules and tell the flight school that the plane will have to be filled half way (or 3/4) the night before, of I will have to cancel my flight. To my knoledge it has always been common procedure and flight schools in the country.

Buck

 

[bigD]

The plane will fly just fine 25 over gross. But that's not the point. You'll do 25 and get away with it, and next time you'll be faced with the same question, only it's 50 pounds. Where are you going to draw the line?

Stick to the reg.

 

[Geronimo4497]

Ygtbsm

At sea level on a hot, humid summer day? You might as well be on top of a 3000 ft. mountain. 25 lbs does make a difference. Why your at it, why not plan to fly the airplane to the maximum published range without regard for the winds? Would you do that? I doubt it (I hope).


No offense, but, don't be stupid and do what every one else has said above.....

 

[widespreadpanic]

Next time you interview and they ask: Have ever broken a limitation? You will have a good story for them and a thanks for coming today, we will be in touch.
WP

 

[apcooper]

I actually was planning on letting them know ahead of time. I don't think the FAA would waste their time perusing anonymous message boards to violate pilots. Not like they get paid more for it. I'll just do the half hour round the pattern if it doesn't work out.

 

[Metro752]

They have

 

[apcooper]

Lose 25lbs, its not that hard, ya'll need to lose some weight, catch my drift. Seriously, none of you drink anything until after you get in the air.

(

Well, I'm pretty light as it is at 145 lbs. Kinda hard to shead more!

 

[midlifeflyer]

Isn't this sort of like the joke with the punch line, "We've already established what you =are=; not we're just haggling over the price" ?

 

[CaravanMan]

Yeah, tell your pax not to eat anything and to poop before they come out, it'll fly.

 

[flydude]

If your that worried about it drain five gallons out of the sump into a bucket.

 

[xrated]

If you ever plan on flying for a part 135 freight operator, here's your chance to gain some pratical experience.....just be sure to bring another 250 lbs of lead shot and you should be in the neighborhood of a typical 135 freight run.

 

[BaronDrvr]

Ha, If Im only 25 lbs over gross, I consider that a light load. Wait a second, did I just say that.....


PS:No offense but I would never work 135 freight if I were you

 

[Ralgha]

Obviously syphoning fuel is out of the question and extremely dangerous in my book.

Really? Why's that? We drained fuel regularly when the examiner (who was rather large) and student would put the airplane over gross for the checkride. No big deal. Just don't smoke while you're doing it. Actually the FBO should do it for you, that whole liability thing.

 

[Onlyflyfreight]

This guy is baiting us!!!!!!!!!

 

[Groundpounder]

Really? Why's that? We drained fuel regularly when the examiner (who was rather large) and student would put the airplane over gross for the checkride. No big deal. Just don't smoke while you're doing it. Actually the FBO should do it for you, that whole liability thing.

And if the FBO is smart, they will charge you to cover their liablity. Its a $50 min where I work to defuel an aircraft.

 

[TonyC]

On saturday I will be taking two friends up in a Cessna 172 and just realized that since I'm the first flight of the day for the rental that the tanks will be full. I calculated that based on all our weights we will bean issue here.

...

What should I do?

Carry an empty 5-gallon gas can with you to the airport. (I don't know why they call those things cans when they're actually made of plastic, but that's another thread..) Before you go fly, drain 2.5 gallons from each wing into the empty plastic can. Take a Sharpie permanent marker with you so you can label the plastic 5-gallon gas can with the type of fuel. (You wouldn't want to mix up 100LL with 87 Unleaded or Diesel 2.) Put the 5-gallon plastic can behind the back seat. During your first stop after 1 hour of flying, transfer 2.5 gallons of the 5 into the left tank, and the remainder in the right tank. Discard the empty 5-gallon plastic can, because you don't want fumes in the cockpit.


Simple, huh?









.

 

[Flechas]

Since you are asking this question I'd suggest that you don't even go flying, for your safety and the safety of your friends...

 

[minitour]

Carry an empty 5-gallon gas can with you to the airport. (I don't know why they call those things cans when they're actually made of plastic, but that's another thread..) Before you go fly, drain 2.5 gallons from each wing into the empty plastic can. Take a Sharpie permanent marker with you so you can label the plastic 5-gallon gas can with the type of fuel. (You wouldn't want to mix up 100LL with 87 Unleaded or Diesel 2.) Put the 5-gallon plastic can behind the back seat. During your first stop after 1 hour of flying, transfer 2.5 gallons of the 5 into the left tank, and the remainder in the right tank. Discard the empty 5-gallon plastic can, because you don't want fumes in the cockpit.


Simple, huh?









.

...check me if I'm wrong here...

Take 30 pounds out of the wings and put it in the back...the airplane will still be 25 over gross, no? Just because it isn't in the wings, doesn't mean it isn't in the airplane...

My opinion/advice....re check your W&B numbers...maybe just maybe you got the pax weights wrong?

-mini

*edit*
to answer your question, no...I'd never take a plane over gross/out of balance.

 

[GoJetPilot]

25 lbs????

 

[bigD]

...check me if I'm wrong here...

Take 30 pounds out of the wings and put it in the back...the airplane will still be 25 over gross, no? Just because it isn't in the wings, doesn't mean it isn't in the airplane...

My opinion/advice....re check your W&B numbers...maybe just maybe you got the pax weights wrong?

-mini

*edit*
to answer your question, no...I'd never take a plane over gross/out of balance.

mini - take a good look at Tony and I think you'll find his tongue planted firmly in his cheek.

 

[minitour]

mini - take a good look at Tony and I think you'll find his tongue planted firmly in his cheek.

*sigh*

Roger...I've got a pretty high density altitude right now...my bad

-mini

 

[9GClub]

Just assume you got the math wrong. If you overestimated you're legal and safe. If you underestimated........ you're still illegal and dangerous...... so you haven't lost anything.

 

[Flyin Tony]

Wheres the CG?

 

[FN FAL]

On saturday I will be taking two friends up in a Cessna 172 and just realized that since I'm the first flight of the day for the rental that the tanks will be full.

Either learn how to place a fuel order or take the one person up first and do the rest later...don't violate the limitations of the aircraft.

Need a reason to NOT violate the design limitations of an aircraft? Think about how swell it's going to be when your cell mate "Bronco Buster" is polishing your anal sphincter to a dull sheen. If you survive a crash of that aircraft and in the process someone dies or is seriously injured, the state you crashed in could charge you with criminal negligence.