What effect does a heavier aircraft have during takeoff?

When an aircraft is heavier during takeoff, it requires longer distances to reach the necessary takeoff speed. This is due to several aerodynamic and performance factors.

A heavier aircraft has an increased weight, which necessitates a higher amount of lift to become airborne. To generate this lift, the aircraft must reach a higher speed before it can effectively leave the ground. The thrust provided by the engines may remain constant, but with added weight, the aircraft's performance can be significantly impacted.

Moreover, the increased weight requires greater wing loading, which affects how much lift the wings can generate at lower speeds. Consequently, the aircraft must travel further down the runway to gain the additional speed needed for takeoff. Therefore, heavier aircraft typically require a longer takeoff distance, which is crucial for pilots to understand when planning their flights and managing performance on varied runways or conditions.