66,360 tons is the max landing weight for our -800's as well. While it's not a "heavy" aircraft, it's heavy for a 737. Why? Because the brakes are designed for 737 weights, not for a 747. Grandpa should know this, if he is not demented.
By the book, the -800 does not use much more runway that a -700, but in real life? It's a totally different beast to stop, and it pays to stay on the conservative side.
If you fly -800's and you have never experienced the extreme roll sensitivity when you land with FL 40? Luck? Ace pilot? Never done it in windy conditions?
I don't know, but it handles so bad I'm a bit surprised it got certified for FL 40 landings in windy conditions in the first place.
It also has a very small gap in the speed window (ref to overspeed) at max weight and FL 40. Not ideal for gusty conditions.
Last edited by ManaAdaSystem; 1st Jan 2011 at 14:58.