Calculating weight for an airplane flight?

Question

i recently went on a sightseeing flight. the airplane was a piper warrior, i think. in the airplane, there are 3 passengers. the pilot asked us how much we weighted. he did some calculations, he said it's done on every flight.

how is he calculating how much weight the airplane can take so it can take off? i'm really curious.

is it possible that the passengers can be too heavy and the piper warrior wouldn't be able to take off?

Answer 1

He is calculating the speed needed to get off the ground.

Answer 2

Yes, it could be easily overweight and it happens all the time with fatal results.

The aircraft has a maximum certified gross weight.  Although it could fly above this weight the airframe is not stressed for it and there is not enough installed power to get the right performance out of the plane.

Answer 3

The other, usually more important thing he is calculating is the 'center of gravity' of the airplane.  If the weight distribution is too far to the rear, the airplane is unstable and uncontrollable in flight even if it is under the maximum weight limit.  If the weight distribution is too far forward, again the airplane may be uncontrollable.  All airplanes are certified to fly with the center of gravity between specified limits.