LAYERS HOW AIRCRAFT KEEP PILOTS AND PASSENGERS SAFE PROTECTIVE » Cover story My revelation came on a cool fall evening in 2000. I had recently checked out in a brand-new Cessna 172R. While planning a crosscountry with my wife and daughter for the next day, I ran the weight and balance numbers—the first time I’d done so for the airplane with full fuel, three passengers, and bags. » By Mike Collins PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS ROSE SEPTEMBER 2011 FLIGHT TRAINING / 27