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Old 29th Nov 2013, 00:36
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tartare
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
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Size limit to heavier-than-air aircraft

All - is there any fundamental aerodynamic law or principle that limits the physical size and weight of a heavier than air aircraft - i.e. the square cube law?
MTOW for the AN-225 is shown as 640 tonnes.
Assuming there was no PCN restriction could an aircraft be built, flown with MTOW of 1000, 2000 tonnes?
If necessary thrust was available, would the strength of control surfaces and their ability to exert pitch, yaw, roll forces on a theoretical super-massive airframe pose a limit?
No, I'm not planning to build one...
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