WEIGHT ESTIMATION TERMINOLOGIES

A = Aspect ratio
Bw = Wing span, ft.
D = Fuselage structural depth, ft.
Ht/Hv = 0.0 for conventional tail; 1.0 for “T” tail
L = Fuselage structural length, ft. (excluding radome, tail cap)
Lm = Length of main gear, in.
Ln = Length of nose gear, in.
Lt = Tail length; wing quarter-MAC to tail quarter-MAC, ft.
Nen = Number of engines
Ngear = Number of gear
Nl = Ultimate landing load factor; Ngear × 1.5
Nt = Number of fuel tanks
Nz = Ultimate load factor; 1.5 limit load factor
q = Dynamic pressure at cruise, lb. /ft2
Sf = Fuselage wetted area, ft2
Sht = Horizontal tail area, ft2
Svt = Vertical tail area, ft2
Sw = Trapezoidal wing area, ft2
Vi = Integral tanks volume, gal
Vpr = Volume of pressurized section, ft3
Vt = Total fuel volume, gal
Wdg = Design gross weight, lbs.
Wen = Engine weight, each, lbs.
Wfw = Weight of fuel in wing, lbs.
Wl = Landing design gross weight, lbs.
Wpress = Weight penalty due to pressurization,
0.271,
= 11.9 + (Vpr Pdelta) where Pdelta = cabin pressure differential, psi (typically 8
psi)
Ʌ = Wing sweep at 25% MAC

STRUCTURAL GROUP

FOR WINGS:
−0.3
0.6 t
WW = 0.036Sref 0.758 Wfw0.0035 ( A
cos 2 Λ ) q0.006 λ 0.04
( )
100
c
cos Λ
( N z W dg)
0.49

Where:
Sref = 97.84 ft.2 (from Activity No. 2)
Wfw = 337.05 lbs. (from Activity No. 2)
A = 6.115 (from Activity No. 2)
 Λ = 0o (For rectangular wings)

1 2
q = ρV
2
Where:
slug
ρ = 0.002377
ft 3
V = maximum cruise speed (from Activity No. 2)
V = 183 mph = 268.4 ft. /s
1 slug
q = (0.002377 3 )(268.4 ft./s)2
2 ft
lb
q = 85.62
ft 2
 λ = 1
t/c = 0.15 (NACA 6415)
Nz = npositive × 1.5 = 2.67 × 1.5
= 4.0 (From Table 14.2).
Wdg = W0 = 1961.27 lbs. (from Activity No. 2)
−0.3
0.6 t
WW = 0.036Sref 0.758 Wfw0.0035 ( A
cos 2 Λ ) q0.006 λ 0.04
( )
100
c
cos Λ
( N z W dg)
0.49

6.115 0.6
WW = (0.036) (97.84 ft.2)0.758(337.05 lbs.)0.0035( ¿
cos2 0o
lb 0.006 0.04 (100)(0.15) -0.3
× (85.62 ) (1) [ ] [(4.0) (1961.27 lbs.)]0.49
ft 2 cos 0o
WW = 129.69 lbs.

FOR HORIZONTAL TAIL:

−0.12
t
Wht = 0.016( N z W dg )
0.414
q0.168 Sht0.896
( ) 100
c
cos Λ ht ( A
2
cos Λht )
0.043
λ ht−0.02

Where:
Nz = npositive × 1.5 = 2.67 × 1.5
= 4.0 (From Table 14.2).
Wdg = W0 = 1961.27 lbs. (From Activity No. 2)
1 2 1 slug
q = ρV = (0.002377 3 )(268.4
2 2 ft
lb
ft./s)2 q = 85.62
ft 2
Sht = 18.31 ft.2 (From Activity No. 2)
t/c = 0.15 (NACA 0015)
 Scale 1:48
∧ht = ∧ = 46 °

A = 4.62 (from Activity No. 2)

𝜆HT = 0.47 (from Activity No. 2)
−0.12
t
Wht = 0.016( N z W dg )
0.414

( )
q0.168 Sht0.896
100
c
cos Λ ht ( A
2
cos Λht
0.043

) λ ht−0.02
 lb
= (0.016)[(4.0)(1961.27 lbs .)]0.414 85.62 ( ft 2 ) 0.168

−0.12 0.043
( 100 ) ( 0.15 ) 4.62
[
2 0.896
× ( 18.31 ft . )
cos 46 ° ] ( cos 2 46 ° ) (0.47)−0.02

Wht = 15.14 lbs.

FOR VERTICAL TAIL:

−0.49
t

( )
100
0.376
Ht 0. 357
(
Wvt = 0.073 1+0.2
Hv )
( N z W dg) q0.122 Svt0.873 c
cos Λ vt ( A
2
cos Λ vt ) λ vt0. 039

Where:
Nz = npositive × 1.5 = 2.67 × 1.5
= 4.0 (From Table 14.2).
Wdg = W0 = 1961.27 lbs. (From Activity No. 2)
1 2 1 slug
q = ρV = (0.002377 3 )(268.4
2 2 ft
lb
ft./s)2 q = 85.62
ft 2
SVT = 6.4 ft.2 (From Activity No. 2)
t/c = 0.15 (NACA 0015)
∧VT = ∧ = 39 °

Scale 1:24
 HT/HV = 0
AVT = 1.54 (from Activity No. 2)
𝜆VT = 0.3 (from Activity No. 2)
−0.49
t
100
( )
0.376
Ht 0. 357
Wvt = 0.073 1+0.2 (
Hv )
( N z W dg) q Svt0.122 0.873 c
cos Λ vt ( A
2
cos Λ vt ) λ vt0. 039

lb
Wvt = 0.073 ( 1+0.2(0) ) (( 4.0)(1961.27 lbs.) )
0.376
( 85.62
ft 2 ) 0.122
( 6.4 ft .2 )0.873
−0. 49 0.357
( 100 ) ( 0.15 ) 1.54
( cos 39 ° ) ( cos 2 39 ° ) 0.30.039

Wvt = 5.78 lbs.

FOR FUSELAGE:
Wfuselage = 0.052 Sf1.086 (NzWdg) 0.177Lt-0.051(L/D)-0.072q0.241
Where:

Sf = K (2A top + A side

)
 Sf = K (2A + A )
top side

2 2
61.7386 ft + 88.6680 ft
Sf = 3.4 ( )
2
Sf = 255.69 ft2
Nz = npositive × 1.5 = 2.7015 × 1.5
= 4.05225 (From Table 14.2).
 Wdg = W0 = 1961.27 lbs. (From Activity No. 2)
Lt = 14.99 ft. (From Activity No. 2)

L/D = 11.2 (From Activity No. 2)

1 2 1 slug
q = ρV = (0.002377 3 )(268.4
2 2 ft
lb
ft./s)2 q = 85.62
ft 2

Wfuselage = 0.052 Sf1.086(NzWdg)0.177Lt-0.051(L/D)-0.072q0.241

Wfuselage = 0.052(255.69 ft.2)1.086[(4.05225) (1961.27 lbs.)]0.177 (14.99 ft.)-0.051

× (11.2)-0.072(85.62 lb./ft.2)0.241
Wfuselage = 224.06 lbs.

FOR MAIN LANDING GEAR:

Wmain landing gear = 0.095(NlWl) 0.768 Lm0.409

Where:
Nl = Ngear x 1.5 = 3 x 1.5
= 4.5 = from Table 11.5

Wl = Wdg x 0.95 = 1961.27 lbs. × 0.95

 = 1863.19 lbs.

Lm = 3.12 ft. (From geometric measurement)

Wmain landing gea r = 0.095(NlWl) 0.768Lm0.409

0.768
W main landing gear = 0.095 [ (4.5)(1863.19 lbs) ] (3.12 ft . )0.409
W main landing gear = 155.98 lbs.

FOR NOSE LANDING GEAR:

W nose landing gear = 0.125 ( N l W l )0.566 Ln0.845

Where:
Nl = Ngear x 1.5 = 3 x 1.5
= 4.5 = Taken from Table 4.4
WL = Wdg x 0.95 = 1961.27 lbs. × 0.95
= 1863.19 lbs.
 Ln = 2.89 ft. (From geometric measurement)
0.566
W nose landing gear =0.125 [ (4.5)(1863.19 lbs) ] ( 2.89 ft )0.845
W nose landing gear =50.94 lbs

POWERPLANT AND PROPULSION GROUP

FOR INSTALLED ENGINE:
WInstalled engine (total) = 2.575 Wen 0.922 Nen

Where:
Wen = 244.71 lbs. = Engine weight (Lycoming O-235-C)
Nen = 1 = Number of engine

W installed engine (total) = 2.575 ¿

W installed engine (total) = 410.31 lbs .
FOR FUEL SYSTEMS:
0.363
1
W fuel system = 2.49 Vt 0.726
( 1+ Vi / Vt ) Nt0.242 Nen0.157

Where:
 WF 337.05lbs .
Vt = = lbs . = 56.175 gal.
ρ AV −GAS 6.0
gal.
= Total fuel volume is based on computed WF from Activity No. 2
Vi = Vt = 56.175 gal. = Integral tanks volume
Nt = 2 = Number of fuel tanks
Nen = 1 = Number of engines

0.363
1
W fuel system = 2.49 ( 56. 175 gal. ) 0.726
( 1+ 56.175 gal./56.175 gal. ) (2)0.242 (1)0.157
W fuel system = 42.66 lbs .

FOR ENGINE WITHOUT OIL:

Woil = (Vt/25) (7.5 lbs./gal.)

Where:
Vt = 56.175 gal. (Total volume of fuel)

Oil to Fuel Ratio = 1:25

Density of ratio = 7.5 lbs. /gal.
Woil = (56.175 gal. /25) (7.5 lbs. /gal.)

Woil = 16.85 lbs.

Wengine without oil = Winstalled engine - Woil

 Wengine without oil = 410.31 lbs. – 16.85 lbs.

Wengine without oil = 393.46 lbs.

FOR EQUIPMENT/SYSTEM GROUP

FOR FLIGHT CONTROLS

W flight controls =0.053 L1.536 Bw0.371 ( Nz W dg x 10-4 ) 0.80

Where:
L = 24.99 ft. (From Activity no. 2)

Bw = 24.46 ft. (From Activity no. 2)

Nz = npositive × 1.5 = 2.67 × 1.5

= 4.0 (From Table 14.2).

Wdg = 1961.27 lbs. (From Activity no. 2)

0.80
W flight controls =(0.053)( 24.99 ft . )1.536 ( 24.46 ft . )0.371 × [ (4.0)(1961.27 lbs. )x 10-4 ) ]

W flight controls = 20.05 lbs.

FOR HYDRAULICS:
Because the design has a fixed landing gear, the aircraft does not contain a
hydraulic system.

FOR AVIONICS:
Wavionics/Wempty = 0.03 (from Table 11.6)
 Where:
Wempty = 1204.22 lbs. (From activity no. 2)

Wavionics = 0.03 (1204.22 lbs.)

Wavionics = 36.13 lbs.

FOR ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS:

Welectrical system = 12.57 (Wfuel system + Wavionics) 0.51

Welectrical system = 12.57 (42.65lbs. + 36.13 lbs.) 0.51

Welectrical system = 116.55 lbs.

FOR FURNISHING
Wfurnishing = 0.0582Wdg – 65
Where:
Wdg = 1961.27 lbs. (From Activity No. 2)

Wfurnishing = 0.0582 (1961.27 lbs.) – 65

Wfurnishing = 49.15lbs

WEIGHTS ESTIMATION “FUDGE FACTORS”

 STRUCTURAL GROUP
Description Computed Fudge Factor Estimated Weight

Lbs. - Lbs.

Wing
129.69 0.85 110.24
Vertical tail
15.14 - 15.14
Horizontal tail
5.78 - 5.78
Fuselage
224.06 0.9 201.65
Main Landing Gear
155.98 0.95 148.18
Nose Landing Gear
50.94 0.95 48.39
TOTAL
529.38
POWERPLANT AND PROPULSION GROUP
Description Estimated Weight
 Lbs.
Installed
Engine without Oil 393.46
Fuel Systems 42.65
TOTAL 436.11
EQUIPMENT SYSTEMS GROUP
Description Estimated Weight
Lbs.
Flight Controls 20.05
Hydraulics -
Avionics 36.13
Electrical System 116.55
Furnishing 49.15
TOTA 221.88
L
USEFUL LOAD GROUP
Description Estimated Weight
Lbs.
Pilot (Crew) 170
Passengers 170
Baggage 80
Fuel 337.05
Oil 16.85
TOTA
L 773.90

FOR GROSS WEIGHT

STRUCTURAL GROUP
529.38

POWERPLANT AND PROPULSION

GROUP 436.11

EQUIPMENT SYSTEMS GROUP

221.88

USEFUL LOAD GROUP 773.90

 GROSS WEIGHT 1961.27

FOR EMPTY WEIGHT

STRUCTURAL GROUP
529.38

POWERPLANT AND PROPULSION

GROUP
436.11

EQUIPMENT SYSTEMS GROUP 221.88

EMPTY WEIGHT
1187.37