Weight and Balance

The weight of an aircraft and its balance are extremely important for operating in a safe and efficient manner. When a manufacturer designs an aircraft and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certifies it, the specifications identify the aircraft’s maximum weight and the limits within which it must balance. The weight and balance system commonly employed … Read more

When a technician gets involved with the weight and balance of an aircraft, it almost always involves a calculation of the aircraft’s empty weight and EWCG. Only on rare occasions are technicians involved in calculating adverse-loading CG checks, how much ballast is needed, or the loaded weight and balance of the aircraft. Calculating the empty … Read more

The weight and balance computation system, commonly called the loading graph and CG envelope system, is an excellent and rapid method for determining the CG location for various loading arrangements. This method can be applied to any make and model of aircraft, but is more often seen with small GA aircraft. Aircraft manufacturers using this … Read more

The ultimate test of whether there is a problem with an airplane’s weight and balance is when it is loaded and ready to fly. The only real importance of an airplane’s empty weight and EWCG is how it affects the loaded weight and balance of the airplane, since an airplane does not fly when it … Read more

General Concepts The most important reason for weighing an aircraft is to find out its empty weight (basic empty weight) and to find out where it balances in the empty weight condition. When an aircraft is to be flown, the pilot in command must know what the loaded weight of the aircraft is and where … Read more

When the equipment in an aircraft is changed, such as the installation of a new radar system or ground proximity warning system, or the removal of a radio or seat, the weight and balance of an aircraft changes. An alteration performed on an aircraft, such as a cargo door being installed or a reinforcing plate … Read more

Scales Weighing GA aircraft, helicopters, turboprops, corporate jets, UAV/UAS, or transport category airliners can be accomplished in two ways: top of jack load cells and platform scales. Equipment selection is dependent on the operator’s needs and or equipment currently on hand, as well as the airframe manufacturer’s recommendations. Top of jack load cells, as the … Read more

Helicopter Weight and Balance General Concepts All the terminology and concepts that apply to airplane weight and balance also apply generally to helicopter weight and balance. However, there are some specific differences that need to be identified. Most helicopters have a much more restricted CG range than airplanes. In some cases, this range is less … Read more

Datum The datum is an imaginary vertical plane from which all horizontal measurements are taken for balance purposes, with the aircraft in level flight attitude. If the datum is viewed on a drawing of an aircraft, it would appear as a vertical line that is perpendicular (90 degrees) to the aircraft’s longitudinal axis. For each … Read more