Question for SWA Pilot

[chumley50]

Hello again SWA pilot...your previous answers to my questions have been a great help in my attempt to fly like the "Real Captains" do....hope you don't mind a few more...most of my flights depart out of Chicago's Midway airport...what is a typical weight for a flight....meaning....passengers...luggage..misc cargo...etc...not fuel weight...just what I listed...is 25 to 30 thousand pounds a little high or low...I just want to know...considering fuel...what a typical weight would be for a 737...full of passengers..luggage..etc...how close do Captains go to the max weight?..hope that makes sense...also after lift-off..do you let the plane accelerate to 250 kts right away or do you power down to a certain speed...I find...after lift off...250kts comes quickly unless you power down a bit...thanks again for your help...

[swapilot]

It would depend on A/C and destination, as fuel and cargo would differ. I would say that typical Pax weight would be @ 17,000 and fuel would differ depending on length of flight. Cargo would usually be around 2000-4000. After liftoff most airlines fly at @ 210 kts until 3000' AGL then accelerate to 250 kts. Your 250 kts coming quickly until you powerdown may also be the result of a maximum power takeoff. All airlines use some type of derated power for takeoff. Only under certain circumstances is Maximum power used, unless of course it is due to weight or runway length.

[tank50]

Thanks again SWA Pilot for the valuable info..didn't realize "max power" wasn't used on each take off...I usually power up to somewhere in the 90's% on the "N1" gauge...maybe that's too much...I'll try a lessor percent....thanks again..