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Analyzing Aircraft in Alaska

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Definition of terms
There are several terms that geeky airplane folks use when discussing the properties and merits of airplanes. It is necessary to understand these terms when comparing airplanes. Some of the most commonly used are gross weight, useful load, and payload. Gross weight is the maximum aircraft weight when full with cargo and fuel. It can be dangerous to exceed gross weight because the airframe might not be able to handle the extra weight. Useful load is how much weight can be put in the plane including fuel. Payload is how much weight can be put in the plane after it is full of fuel.
Some common terms used in describing bush planes are stall speed, STOL, ground roll, take off distance over 50 feet, and rate of climb. Stall speed is when the airplane stops producing enough lift to fly, and the airplane stops flying. STOL is an acronym for Short Takeoff and Landing. Ground roll is how many feet it takes for a plane to takeoff. Take off distance over 50 feet is how many feet it takes for a plane to take off from being stopped to climb 50 feet in the air. Rate of climb is how many vertical feet per minute, FPM, an airplane can climb.
Description of airplanes
The Piper Super Cub is one of the most popular aircraft in Alaska because it has STOL performance and is a cheap plane to buy and fly. It is cheap enough for even private pilots to own. It can accommodate only two people but

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