Long range capabilities of medium range aircraft?
Hi. I have a question.
Whenever you see max range data for airliners, I assume those figures are for a fully loaded plane, right? My question is - if you were to reduce passenger loads and carry-on baggage so you could carry maximum amount of fuel, how much would you be able to increase range? Basically what I'm asking, if done correctly, could you get an Avrojet across the atlantic, or a 737 or MD-87?
I know that long defunct Laker Airways used this technique to get intercontinental range out of their medium range DC10-10's. There's also a company that flies 757's across the atlantic from Stansted - also a medium range aircraft.
Thanks.