How does increasing weight affect landing distance?

Increasing weight directly impacts the landing performance of an aircraft. When an aircraft's weight is greater, its momentum upon landing also increases, which requires more runway distance for the aircraft to come to a complete stop. Heavier aircraft experience an increase in landing distance primarily due to the physics of inertia; a heavier object requires more force (or runway length) to decelerate to a stop compared to a lighter object.

The aircraft's landing speed, which is influenced by its weight, also plays a crucial role. As weight increases, the stall speed increases as well, meaning the aircraft must land at a higher speed, further increasing the distance needed for landing. Additionally, factors like increased braking distance due to the higher kinetic energy and potential changes in aerodynamic characteristics contribute to the longer required landing distance.

While the landing technique and environmental factors such as wind and runway conditions can also influence the actual landing distance, the general rule is that with increased weight, the required landing distance increases, making this understanding essential for pilots during flight planning and operations.