The weight of birds in airplanes
A 100 ton cargo aircraft is loaded with 50 tonnes of birds, sitting on the floor of the cargo room, and the aircraft is flying straight and level at cruising altitude. The total weight of the aircraft is 150 tonnes, and thus the aircraft wings produces a total lift of 150 tonnes.
Suddenly all he little birds start flying around in the cargo room.
How much lift must the wings produce now to keep the aircraft flying straight and level?
Nick.