Interesting USPS site question

[GAD]

If the weight changes - then the forces acting on the weight and balance of the aircraft would change. The aircraft being a perfect "scale" of lift, thrust, drag, weight and balance.

That’s a good point, however thinking more about it the thrust from the birds wings at (their) takeoff would be relative to the deck, so that further complicates the problem.

 

[The Guilds of Grot]

 

[Opsimath]

That is still one of the funniest things ever! I wonder if anyone who saw it ever forgot it.

 

[fronobulax]

That is still one of the funniest things ever! I wonder if anyone who saw it ever forgot it.

Yes. I saw it. I eventually forgot about it as I also forgot about Jan Smithers. (I never found Loni Anderson memorable so there was nothing to forget).

 

[FNG]

That’s a good point, however thinking more about it the thrust from the birds wings at (their) takeoff would be relative to the deck, so that further complicates the problem.

Technically if you had birds in an aircraft cargo space, and they were able to become airborne, their weight would have zero effect on aircraft gross weight and weight and balance. If they landed,, then they would..

Any lift produced by the birds would have no effect on aircraft lift, since there is no physical transfer from the bird to the aircraft.

 

[Opsimath]

If the plane is loaded to the maximum cargo allowance with birds, evenly distributed, and during flight the birds in only one side of the plane become airborn (There's something on the wing!), would the pilot have to compensate for the resultant uneven weight distribution?

 

[zulu]

Technically if you had birds in an aircraft cargo space, and they were able to become airborne, their weight would have zero effect on aircraft gross weight and weight and balance. If they landed,, then they would..

I agree with this. But then the birds' mass is still subject to the forces of acceleration. The birds move within the fixed air mass in the airplane, but how will they compensate for acceleration? Will they be pinned against the back wall or floor during acceleration and climb, thus becoming weight?

If the plane is loaded to the maximum cargo allowance with birds, evenly distributed, and during flight the birds in only one side of the plane become airborn (There's something on the wing!), would the pilot have to compensate for the resultant uneven weight distribution?

yes - but the effect would be greater if all the birds in the forward or rear half took flight.

 

[FNG]

If the plane is loaded to the maximum cargo allowance with birds, evenly distributed, and during flight the birds in only one side of the plane become airborn (There's something on the wing!), would the pilot have to compensate for the resultant uneven weight distribution?

Theoretical, yes, but how much would depend on the lateral CG design limitations.

 

[FNG]

I agree with this. But then the birds' mass is still subject to the forces of acceleration. The birds move within the fixed air mass in the airplane, but how will they compensate for acceleration? Will they be pinned against the back wall or floor during acceleration and climb, thus becoming weight?


yes - but the effect would be greater if all the birds in the forward or rear half took flight.

I would say yes.

 

[Guildedagain]

The burning question from me is how do you get 70lbs into a Small Flat Rate Box?

 

[GAD]

The burning question from me is how do you get 70lbs into a Small Flat Rate Box?

Precious metals, fishing weights, etc.