Well, that makes perfect sense. Thank you all for the replies.
If I can add a follow-up question. Imagine the scenario where you take-off at MTOW but you need to return to land immediately (i.e. there is no time to circle to burn off / dump fuel) and you are over the Maximum Landing Weight.
From your answers, there is a risk of structural damage to the aircraft if you attempt a landing in this scenario. So is this risk factored into the decision-making process as to whether you should land back at the departure airport? If you had a medical emergency immediately after take-off, might the Commander have to decide whether getting that person on the ground as quickly as possible is more important than potentially damaging the aircraft in an overweight landing? If so, rather you than me!
I don't mean to over-dramatise, but this seems to be a consequence of what you have said?
Nick
Last edited by Nicholas49; 20th Jan 2011 at 20:05.