Page 699 - PPL-engelsk 2025

Aircraft general knowledge

8.4.1.1 G-impact

Aircraft have a specification of how many G’s they can tolerate to be exposed to.

By adjusting the dimensioning of the controls, you can limit the pilot's ability to

pull G. The reference point is always 1G.

Here is a table with permitted
Normal category + 2,5 til 3,8 G - 1,0 til 1,52 G
G-loads in different aircraft
Utility category + 4,4 G - 1,76 G
categories.
Aerobic + 6,0 G - 3,0 G

Our ordinary small single-engine aircraft belong to the normal category.

The Cessna 172 can be loaded up to +3.8G, and if we push the stick forward and

hover around in the cockpit, we can load the aircraft to ÷1.52G.

8.4.1.2 Max takeoff weight and max operating speeds

One way to limit the load on the aircraft is to introduce max takeoff weight and
max operating speeds.

If the weight is below a certain limit, and the center of gravity is also within

certain limits, we can load the aircraft harder.

This is called flying in the utility category.

The diagram here shows the

principle.

We must in any case

operate the aircraft in the

'Normal category'.

In the utility category, we are allowed to do spin exercises, for example.

Also look at the subject Principles of Flight.

Flyveteori PPL(A)(UL)/LAPL Henning Andersen, Midtjysk Flyveskole© 2025 699