Which statement best describes how added weight affects landing distance?

• A. Decreases landing distance
• B. Landing distance is dependent on the type of aircraft
• C. Increases landing distance
• D. Landing distance remains unchanged

Answer: (C)

Adding weight changes the energy you have to dissipate during landing. A heavier airplane requires a higher touchdown speed to stay in level flight, so you touch down faster and with more kinetic energy. Stopping this extra energy (through braking, reverse thrust, and aerodynamic drag) takes more runway, especially since braking force is limited by tire grip and conditions. So, all else equal, more weight means a longer landing distance. The idea that it would decrease distance or stay the same isn’t consistent with the physics of energy dissipation on touchdown, and while aircraft design affects braking, the weight effect itself drives the increase.