Flying Solo With Aft CG

[201er]

On an upcoming flight I'll be flying a lot solo with my baggage compartment and rear seats topped off with baggage. According to my calculations I'm near the aft limit but within CG. I've never had the occasion to fly with so much weight in the front and the front seat empty as normally I take passengers and inevitably someone sits up front. What will this be like? Anything I need to know?

[jetdriven]

How much baggage are you putting in the rear? For ours ot be outside the aft limit it takes 125 lb in the bag compartment, then 400 lb in the rear seat, then one pilot.

[MARZ]

Quote: 201er

On an upcoming flight I'll be flying a lot solo with my baggage compartment and rear seats topped off with baggage. According to my calculations I'm near the aft limit but within CG. I've never had the occasion to fly with so much weight in the front and the front seat empty as normally I take passengers and inevitably someone sits up front. What will this be like? Anything I need to know?

[201er]

I think it's about 120lbs in the baggage compartment, and about 250 on the rear seat. 80 gallons of fuel in the wings. Like I said, don't think it's out of limits but close to them. Never been there before, what's it feel like? Is it even noticeable?

[fantom]

Quote: 201er

..... What will this be like? Anything I need to know?

[201er]

Quote: maropers

 Make sure to run the calculation with full AND empty tanks.

[Immelman]

The airplane will be lighter on the controls in pitch. Maybe a tad faster in cruise. Probably much lighter control force to get it into the landing attitude during your flare. It will be easier to stall it.

These traits are fairly common among ilght single engine aircraft as you shift the weight back.

Not so much on the Mooneys.. but for comparison, some Cessnas are pretty hard to get a good full stall out of with forward CG; they run out of elevator down-force. Move the CG back and its easier.

[MARZ]

I've got an app called FlightPlan on my Iphone and Ipad - you set your planes parameters and it plots the envelope both full and empty - great little tool, takes a second to do.

[jelswick]

I've been using WnB Pro on the iPad, found it in their app store and like it.  I just confirmed numbers from the POh it's using for my aircraft, adjusted where needed and then when using it in the future, you just enter the weight in front seats, baggage area, etc or use the sliders for them and it plots the COG for you with fuel load you've specified and a line to another point representing COG at empty fuel.  Very quick and easy to use.  The only issue I have with it is that it has a Bonanza on the app icon!  

[xftrplt]

Quote: maropers

I've got an app called FlightPlan on my Iphone and Ipad - you set your planes parameters and it plots the envelope both full and empty - great little tool, takes a second to do.

[ToddDPT]

I use WnB as well. LOVE IT!  Quick and easy. I passed my IFR checkride in March and used it to demonstrate my weight and balance and my examiner thought it was really cool as well and downloaded it right then and there. 

[Hank]

Mike--

Do us all a favor and record your power settings, DA and airspeed for the rear CG flight. Maybe you can provide actual data for the light vs. heavy speed thread.

[Lood]

You might have to trim down a bit from your normal take off trim setting, or just be cautious when rotating. The nose will be lighter than usual.