Another o̵f̵f̵e̵n̵s̵i̵v̵e̵ ̵r̵e̵a̵l̵i̵t̵y̵ inconvenient truth is that we have grown physically larger, on average, than the humans of the 1960s, when many airli

Another o̵f̵f̵e̵n̵s̵i̵v̵e̵ ̵r̵e̵a̵l̵i̵t̵y̵ inconvenient truth is that we have grown physically larger, on average, than the humans of the 1960s, when many airliners now flying were designed. Nearly 20 pounds heavier, per person. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/04news/americans.htm https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/04news/americans.htm Airlines initially would weigh passengers, but switched to a (generous) weight per passenger. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/then-amp-now-a-weighty-matter-46320857/ https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/then-amp-n... "The Federal Aviation Administration updated those tables in 2005 with Advisory Circular 120-27E , which calculates an aircraft’s operational empty weight, cargo payload, and the weight of fuel and passengers to load for proper center of gravity. For passengers, the FAA now figures an average man in summer clothes weighs 200 pounds and the average woman, 179 pounds. On flights between November 1 and April 30, when winter clothing is factored in, the FAA adds five pounds. The standards will be revised if data from U.S. government health agencies show that the average American has gotten at least two percent heavier." Fascinating article. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/then-amp-now-a-weighty-matter-46320857/ https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/then-amp-n...