Simviation Forums

Hello, Lads and Lasses......!

I wonder if anyone has carried out a check to determine if reducing the Aircraft payload, (Pilot, etc, and luggage), and the fuel quantity carried, actually improves the performance of the Aircraft in the Flight Simulator...?

As "Bush* Type" flyer often taking off from small, (and sometimes difficult) grass airstrips and lakes, in small, single engined General Aviation aeroplanes, I wonder what effect of varying the overall payload has on the performance of the craft in the actual flight simulator......!
...(It does in real life, but I wondered if the effect is actually programmed into the sim?..).

Cheers all...!

Paul....154 Lbs...(before dins!).......LOL......!

*...but not related...trust me......LOL...!

Hello,

Changing the payload works in FS. I am using FSPassengers in which you can change the weight of cargo, the number of passengers and the quantity of fuel. There is a difference in a fully loaded plane and an empty one. Take off's are harder in a heavy one.

Easy Flyer.

Hello Easy... ...!

If I am confronted with a HUGE mountain in front of my airstrip, and prior to take-off I dial in my real weight, (before dins), and 50% of my total Avgas quantity, in the default Flight Simulator and hope that I will climb with sufficient enthusiasm to clear the trees at the top of the mountain.... ...!
.....can you assure me that I can perform this life-saving activity in perfect safety without collecting leaves in my wheel-spats, and doubling my next-years insurance premiums........!

Yes or no...?

LOL... ...!

Paul... ...!

P.S. Does having a pee before my flight reduce my payload by a significant amount... ... ...?
LOL...!

P.S....WOW....all the sixes....Clickety-click.... ...!

LOL, well I'd say hold on and enjoy the ride. Collecting leaves on take off is a big part of "bush" flying.

Easy Flyer.

BTW taking a pee or something else should affect the performance of you aircraft dramatically. Just open the window on take off and blow some extra gas out.

EF.

yes, it does effect the plane alot. it changes the center of gravity (not sure how that works if it isn't in the center) and how much force is required to lift the plane, how much fuel is required and the overall distance of flight, for a fast plane set all weights really low

...thank-you, Machine... ...!
Excellent...!
I will promptly advise your insurance company not to increase your premiums next time that you land "wheels-up"... ...!

Many thanks... ...!

Paul...having a quick pee before pressing the starter... ...!

Not sure how accurately weight/performance is depicted ion FS, and I'm sure it varies from model to model, but I do know that when i loaded up the default DC3 for a GTW of 33,000 lbs. (over 10,000 lbs. over normal GTW), it was definitely different... barely climbed and wouldn't go over 120kts in level flight even at 1500 ft. until the load was near the normal gross...
Most of the default and add-on 'bug smadshers' have a passenger figured into the front-seat load; if you're looking for super short-field performance in, say, a stock 150, you might want to eliminate your 'copilot' in the Fuel and Payload page. You can even reset the fuel amount for whatever you like; say, just enough to get over the hills to some other airpot with a longer runway.