Aircraft

AircraftWeight
WeightAnd
And
Balance
Balance

Instructor: Abdul Hamed D. Nakan

Instructor: Abdul Hamed D. Nakan
• •The
Theweight
weightofofananaircraft
aircraftand
anditsitsbalance
balanceareare
extremelyimportant
extremely importantfor foroperating
operatingananaircraft
aircraftinina asafe
safe
and efficient manner. When a manufacturer
and efficient manner. When a manufacturer designs designs
ananaircraft
aircraftand
andthetheFederal
FederalAviation
AviationAdministration
Administration
(FAA)certifies
(FAA) certifiesit,it,the
thespecifications
specificationsidentify
identifythe
the
aircraft’smaximum
aircraft’s maximumweight weightand
andthe thelimits
limitswithin
within
whichititmust
which mustbalance.
balance.
• •The
Themaximum
maximumallowable
allowableweight
weightisisbased
basedononthe
the
surface area of the wing, and how much lift
surface area of the wing, and how much lift it willit will
generateatata asafe
generate safeand
andappropriate
appropriateairspeed.
airspeed.

• Where an aircraft balances is also a significant factor

• Where an aircraft balances is also a significant factor
in determining if the aircraft is safe to operate.
in determining if the aircraft is safe to operate.

• A secondary reason for concern about weight and balance, but also
• A secondary reason for concern about weight and balance, but also
a very important one, is the efficiency of the aircraft.
a very important one, is the efficiency of the aircraft.
Needand
Need andRequirements
Requirementsfor
for
AircraftWeighing
Aircraft Weighing
Every aircraft type
Every aircraft type
certificated by the The weight and balance
certificated by the The weight and balance
FAA, before leaving
FAA, before leaving report identifies the
the factory for delivery report identifies the
the factory for delivery empty weight of the aircraft
to its new owner, empty weight of the aircraft
to its new owner, and the location at which the
receives weight and and the location at which the
receives weight and
balance report as part aircraft balances, known as
balance report as part aircraft balances, known as
of its required aircraft the center of gravity.
of its required aircraft the center of gravity.
records.
records.
Weightand
Weight andBalance
BalanceTerminology
Terminology
• Datum
• Datum
The datum is an imaginary vertical plane from which all horizontal
The datum is an imaginary vertical plane from which all horizontal
measurements are taken for balance purposes, with the aircraft in
measurements are taken for balance purposes, with the aircraft in
level flight attitude.
level flight attitude.
There is no fixed rule for the location of the datum, except that it must be a
There is no fixed rule for the location of the datum, except that it must be a
location that will not change during the life of the aircraft.
location that will not change during the life of the aircraft.

The location of the datum is identified in the Aircraft Specifications or Type

The location of the datum is identified in the Aircraft Specifications or Type
Certificate Data Sheet.
Certificate Data Sheet.
• •Arm
Arm
Thearm
The armisisthe
thehorizontal
horizontaldistance
distancethat
thata apart
partofofthe
theaircraft
aircraft
orora apiece
pieceofofequipment
equipmentisislocated
locatedfrom
fromthe thedatum.
datum.
 • Moment
• Moment
A moment is the product of a weight multiplied by its
A moment is the product of a weight multiplied by its
arm.
arm.
• •Center
CenterofofGravity
Gravity
Thecenter
The centerofofgravity
gravity(CG)
(CG)ofofananaircraft
aircraftisisa apoint
point
aboutwhich
about whichthethenose
noseheavy
heavyand
andtail
tailheavy
heavymoments
momentsare
are
exactly equal in magnitude.
exactly equal in magnitude.

It is the
It is the
balance
balance
point
point
for the
for the
aircraft.
aircraft.
 • Maximum Weight
• Maximum Weight
The maximum weight is the maximum authorized weight of the
The maximum weight is the maximum authorized weight of the
aircraft and its contents, and is indicated in the Aircraft
aircraft and its contents, and is indicated in the Aircraft
Specifications or Type Certificate Data Sheet.
Specifications or Type Certificate Data Sheet.
For many aircraft, there are variations to the
For many aircraft, there are variations to the
maximum allowable weight, depending on the purpose and conditions under
maximum allowable weight, depending on the purpose and conditions under
which the aircraft is to be flown.
which the aircraft is to be flown.
 Maximum Takeoff Weight—
Maximum
the heaviestTakeoff
weightWeight—
an aircraft
Maximum Ramp Weight—the the heaviest weight an aircraft
Maximum can have when it starts the
heaviestRamp
weightWeight—the
to which an can have when it starts the
heaviest weight to which an it is takeoff roll. The difference
aircraft can be loaded while takeoff roll.this
The difference
aircraft canonbethe
loaded while it isis between weight and the
sitting ground. This between
sitting on the ground. maximum ramp weight the
this weight and would
sometimes referred This
to as isthe maximum ramp weight would
sometimes referred equal the weight of the fuel that
maximum taxi to as the
weight. equal the weight of the fuel that
maximum taxi weight. would be consumed prior to
would be consumed
takeoff. prior to
takeoff.

Maximum Landing Weight— Maximum Zero Fuel Weight

Maximum Landing Maximum Zeroweight
Fuel Weight
the heaviest weightWeight—
an aircraft —the heaviest
—the heaviest weight an
an aircraft
aircraft
the can
heaviest
have weight
when itan aircraft
lands. For can be loaded to without having
can have when it lands. For can be loaded to without having
any usable fuel in the fuel tanks.
large wide body commercial anyAny
usable fuel in the fuel tanks.
large wide body
airplanes, it cancommercial
be 100,000 lb. weight loaded above this
airplanes, it can be 100,000 lb. Any weight loaded above this
value must be in the form of
less than maximum takeoff value must be fuel.
in the form of
less than maximum
weight, or eventakeoff
more.
weight, or even more. fuel.
 Empty Weight
The empty weight of an aircraft includes all
operating equipment that has a fixed
location and is actually installed in the
aircraft.

It includes the weight of the airframe, powerplant, required

equipment, optional or special equipment, fixed ballast,
hydraulic fluid, and residual fuel and oil. Residual fuel and
oil are the fluids that will not normally drain out because
they are trapped in the fuel lines, oil lines, and tanks.

They must be included in the

aircraft’s empty weight.
• •Empty
EmptyWeight
WeightCenter
CenterofofGravity
Gravity
Theempty
The emptyweight
weightcenter
centerofofgravity
gravityfor
forananaircraft
aircraftisis
thepoint
the pointatatwhich
whichititbalances
balanceswhen
whenititisisininananempty
empty
weightcondition.
weight condition.
• •Useful
UsefulLoad
Load
The useful load consists of fuel, any other fluids
The useful load consists of fuel, any other fluids that that
arenot
are notpart
partofofempty
emptyweight,
weight,passengers,
passengers,baggage,
baggage,
pilot,copilot,
pilot, copilot,andandcrewmembers.
crewmembers.

Whether or not the weight of engine oil is considered to be

Whether or not the weight of engine oil is considered to be
a part of useful load depends on when the aircraft was
a part of useful load depends on when the aircraft was
certified, and
certified, and
can be determined by looking at the Aircraft
can be determined by looking at the Aircraft
Specifications or Type Certificate Data Sheet.
Specifications or Type Certificate Data Sheet.
• •Minimum
MinimumFuel
Fuel
Minimumfuel
Minimum fuelisistypically
typicallythat
thatamount
amountneeded
neededfor
for
3030minutes
minutesofofflight
flightatatcruise
cruisepower.
power.

• Tare Weight
• Tare Weight
When aircraft are placed on scales and weighed, it
When aircraft are placed on scales and weighed, it
is sometimes necessary to use support equipment to aid in
is sometimes necessary to use support equipment to aid in
the weighing process.
the weighing process.
Weightand
Weight andBalance
BalanceData
Data
• •Possible
Possiblesources
sourcesofofweight
weightand
andbalance
balancedata
dataare
areasasfollows:
follows:
1.1. Aircraft
AircraftSpecifications
Specifications
2.2. Aircraft
AircraftOperating
OperatingLimitations
Limitations
3.3. Aircraft
AircraftFlight
FlightManual
Manual
4.4. Aircraft
AircraftWeight
Weightand andBalance
BalanceReport
Report
5.5. Aircraft
AircraftType
TypeCertificate
CertificateData
DataSheet
Sheet
 Someofofthe
Some theimportant
importantweight
weightand
andbalance
balanceinformation
informationfound
found
inina aType
TypeCertificate
CertificateData
DataSheet
Sheetisisasasfollows:
follows:

1. Center of gravity range 7. Datum location

2. Maximum weight 8. Engine horsepower
3. Leveling means 9. Oil capacity
4. Number of seats and 10. Amount of fuel in empty
location weight
5. Baggage capacity 11. Amount of oil in empty
6. Fuel capacity weight
 Weightand
Weight andBalance
BalanceEquipment
Equipment
• •Scale
Scale
Twotypes
Two typesofofscales
scalesare
aretypically
typicallyused
usedtotoweigh
weighanan
aircraft:
aircraft:
thosethat
those thatoperate
operatemechanically
mechanicallywithwithbalance
balanceweights
weights
ororsprings,
springs,and
andthose
thosethat
thatoperate
operateelectronically
electronicallywith
with
whatare
what arecalled
calledload
loadcells.
cells.
• A mechanical scale based on springs is like the
typical bathroom scale.
When weight is applied to the scale, a spring
compresses, which causes a wheel that displays the
weight to rotate.
• •Electronic
Electronicscales
scalesthat
thatutilize
utilizeload
loadcells
cellscome
comeinintwo
two
varieties:
varieties:
1. the platform type
1. the platform type
2. the type that mounts to the top of a jack.
2. the type that mounts to the top of a jack.
• The platform type of electronic scale sits on the ground,
with the tire of the airplane sitting on top of the platform.
Built into the platform is an electronic load cell, which
senses the weight being applied to it and generates a
corresponding electrical signal.
 • •AAMooney
MooneyM20 M20airplane
airplaneisisbeing
beingweighed
weighedwith with
portable electronic platform scales. Notice
portable electronic platform scales. Notice in the in the
pictureofofthe
picture theMooney
Mooneythatthatitsitsnose
nosetire
tireisisdeflated
deflated
(close-upshown
(close-up shownininthe
thelower
lowerrightrightcorner
cornerofofthethe
photo).
photo).

This type of scale is

This type of scale is
easy to transport
easy to transport
and can be powered by
and can be powered by
household current or
household current or
by a battery
by a battery
contained in the
contained in the
display unit.
display unit.
 • In the lower left
• In the lower left
corner is the power
corner is the power
switch, and in the
switch, and in the
lower right is the
lower right is the
switch for selecting
switch for selecting
pounds or kilograms.
pounds or kilograms.
The red, green, and
The red, green, and
yellow knobs are
yellow knobs are
potentiometers for
potentiometers for
zeroing the three
zeroing the three
scales, and next to
scales, and next to
them are the on/off
them are the on/off
switches for the
switches for the
scales.
scales.
 • Thesecond
• The secondtype typeofof
electronicscale
electronic scaleutilizes
utilizesa a
loadcell
load cellthat
thatattaches
attachestoto
thetop
the topofofa ajack.
jack.The
Thetoptopofof
theload
the loadcell
cellhas
hasa aconcave
concave
shapethat
shape thatmatches
matchesupupwith with
thejack
the jackpadpadononthetheaircraft,
aircraft,
with the load
with the load cell cell
absorbingallallthe
absorbing theweight
weightofof
theaircraft
the aircraftatateach
eachjacking
jacking
point.
point.
• •Spirit
SpiritLevel
Level
Onemethod
One methodthat
thatcan
canbebe
usedtotocheck
used checkforfora alevel
level
conditionisistotouse
condition usea a
spiritlevel,
spirit level,sometimes
sometimes
thoughtofofasasa a
thought
carpenter’slevel,
carpenter’s level,byby
placingititononororagainst
placing against
a aspecified
specifiedplace
placeononthethe
aircraft.
aircraft.
• •Plumb
PlumbBob
Bob
AAplumb
plumbbob bobisisa aheavy
heavy
metalobject,
metal object,cylinder
cylinderoror
coneshape,
cone shape,with
witha asharp
sharp
pointatatone
point oneend
endand
anda astring
string
attachedtotothe
attached theother
otherend.
end.
• •Hydrometer
Hydrometer
AAhydrometer
hydrometerconsists
consistsofofa aweighted
weightedglass
glasstube
tube
whichisissealed,
which sealed,with
witha agraduated
graduatedsetsetofofmarkings
markingsonon
theside
the sideofofthe
thetube.
tube.
 Preparingan
Preparing anAircraft
Aircraftfor
forWeighing
Weighing
• •Weighing
Weighingananaircraft
aircraftisisa avery
veryimportant
importantand
and
exacting phase of aircraft maintenance, and
exacting phase of aircraft maintenance, and must bemust be
carriedout
carried outwith
withaccuracy
accuracyand andgood
goodworkmanship.
workmanship.
Thoughtfulpreparation
Thoughtful preparationsaves savestime
timeand
andprevents
prevents
mistakes.
mistakes.
• •ToTobegin,
begin,assemble
assembleallallthe
thenecessary
necessaryequipment,
equipment,
such as:
such as:
1.1.Scales,
Scales,hoisting
hoistingequipment,
equipment,jacks,
jacks,and
andleveling
leveling
equipment.
equipment.
2.2.Blocks,
Blocks,chocks,
chocks,ororsandbags
sandbagsforforholding
holdingthe
the
airplaneononthe
airplane thescales.
scales.
3.3.Straightedge,
Straightedge,spirit
spiritlevel,
level,plumb
plumbbobs,
bobs,chalk
chalkline,
line,
anda ameasuring
and measuringtape.
tape.
4.4.Applicable
ApplicableAircraft
AircraftSpecifications
Specificationsand
andweight
weightandand
balancecomputation
balance computationforms.
forms.
• •IfIfpossible,
possible,aircraft
aircraftshould
shouldbebeweighed
weighedinina aclosed
closed
buildingwhere
building wherethere
thereare
arenonoair
aircurrents
currentstotocause
cause
incorrectscale
incorrect scalereadings.
readings.AnAnoutside
outsideweighing
weighingisis
permissibleififwind
permissible windand
andmoisture
moisturearearenegligible.
negligible.
• •Fuel
FuelSystem
System
When weighing an aircraft to determine
When weighing an aircraft to determine its empty its empty
weight,only
weight, onlythe
theweight
weightofofresidual
residual(unusable)
(unusable)fuel
fuel
shouldbebeincluded.
should included.ToToensure
ensurethat
thatonly
onlyresidual
residualfuel
fuel
isisaccounted
accountedfor,for,the
theaircraft
aircraftshould
shouldbebeweighed
weighedinin
oneofofthe
one thefollowing
followingthreethreeconditions.
conditions.
 1. Weigh the aircraft with absolutely no fuel in the aircraft tanks or fuel lines. If
1.anWeigh the isaircraft
aircraft weighed with in absolutely no fuel
this condition, thein the aircraft
technician cantanks or fuel lines.add
mathematically If
anthe
aircraft
proper is amount
weighedofinresidual
this condition,
fuel to thethe aircraft,
technician
andcan mathematically
account for its armadd and
themoment.
proper amount of residual fuel to the aircraft, and account
The proper amount of fuel can be determined by looking at the for its arm and
moment. The proper amount
Aircraft Specifications of fuel
or Type can be determined
Certificate Data Sheet.by looking at the
Aircraft Specifications or Type Certificate Data Sheet.
2. Weigh the aircraft with only residual fuel in the tanks and lines.
2. Weigh the aircraft with only residual fuel in the tanks and lines.
3. Weigh the aircraft with the fuel tanks completely full. If an aircraft is
3.weighed
Weigh the in aircraft with thethe
this condition, fuel tanks completely
technician full. If an aircraft
can mathematically subtract is the
weighed
weight inof this condition,
usable fuel, andtheaccount
technician canarm
for its mathematically
and moment. subtract the can
A hydrometer
weight
be usedof to
usable fuel, and
determine the account
weight of foreach
its arm andofmoment.
gallon fuel, andAthehydrometer
Aircraft can
beSpecifications
used to determine or Typethe Certificate
weight of each Datagallon
Sheet of
canfuel, and the
be used Aircraftthe fuel
to identify
Specifications
capacity. If anoraircraft
Type Certificate Data Sheet
is to be weighed withcan
loadbecells
usedattached
to identify the fuel
to jacks, the
capacity. If an aircraft is to be weighed with load cells attached
technician should check to make sure it is permissible to jack the aircraft with to jacks, the
technician should
the fuel tanks check
full. It is to make sure
possible that itthis
is permissible to jack the
may not be allowed aircraft
because ofwith
stresses
thethat
fuel tanks full. It is possible
would be placed on the aircraft. that this may not be allowed because of stresses
that would be placed on the aircraft.
• •Never
Neverweigh
weighananaircraft
aircraftwith
withthethefuel
fueltanks
tanks
partiallyfull,
partially full,because
becauseititwill
willbebeimpossible
impossibletoto
determineexactly
determine exactlyhow
howmuch
muchfuelfueltotoaccount
account
for.
for.
 OilSystem
Oil System
Foraircraft
For aircraftcertified
certifiedsince
since1978,
1978,full
fullengine
engineoiloilisis
typicallyincluded
typically includedininananaircraft’s
aircraft’sempty
emptyweight.
weight.This
This
canbebeconfirmed
can confirmedbybylooking
lookingatatthe theType
TypeCertificate
Certificate
DataSheet.
Data Sheet.IfIffull
fulloil
oilisistotobebeincluded,
included,thetheoil
oillevel
level
needstotobebechecked
needs checkedand andthe theoil
oilsystem
systemserviced
servicedififitit
isisless
lessthan
thanfull.
full.
 • the Aircraft Specifications or Type Certificate Data Sheet
• IfIfthe Aircraft Specifications or Type Certificate Data Sheet
specifies that only residual oil is part of empty weight, this
specifies that only residual oil is part of empty weight, this
can be accommodated by one of the following two methods.
can be accommodated by one of the following two methods.
1. Drain the engine oil system to the point that only residual
1. Drain the engine oil system to the point that only residual
oil remains.
oil remains.
2. Check the engine oil quantity, and mathematically subtract
2. Check the engine oil quantity, and mathematically subtract
the weight of the oil that would leave only the residual
the weight of the oil that would leave only the residual
amount. The standard weight for lubricating oil is 7.5 lb/gal
amount. The standard weight for lubricating oil is 7.5 lb/gal
(1.875 pounds per quart (lb/qt)), so if 7 qt of oil needed to be
(1.875 pounds per quart (lb/qt)), so if 7 qt of oil needed to be
removed, the technician would subtract 13.125 lb at the
removed, the technician would subtract 13.125 lb at the
appropriate arm.
appropriate arm.
• •Miscellaneous
MiscellaneousFluids
Fluids
Unless otherwise noted in the Aircraft Specifications
Unless otherwise noted in the Aircraft Specifications
orormanufacturer’s
manufacturer’sinstructions,
instructions,hydraulic
hydraulicreservoirs
reservoirs
andsystems
and systemsshould
shouldbebefilled,
filled,drinking
drinkingand
andwashing
washing
waterreservoirs
water reservoirsand
andlavatory
lavatorytanks
tanksshould
shouldbebedrained,
drained,
andconstant
and constantspeed
speeddrive
driveoiloiltanks
tanksshould
shouldbebefilled.
filled.
• •Flight
FlightControls
Controls
The position of such items as spoilers, slats,
The position of such items as spoilers, slats, flaps, flaps,
andhelicopter
and helicopterrotor
rotorsystems
systemsisisananimportant
importantfactor
factor
whenweighing
when weighingananaircraft.
aircraft.Always
Alwaysrefer
refertotothe
the
manufacturer’sinstructions
manufacturer’s instructionsforforthe
theproper
properposition
positionofof
theseitems.
these items.
• Standard Weights Used for Aircraft Weight and
Balance Unless the specific weight for an item is
known, the standard weights used in aircraft weight
and balance are as follows:
• Aviation gasoline 6 lb/gal
• Turbine fuel 6.7 lb/gal
• Lubricating oil 7.5 lb/gal
• Water 8.35 lb/gal
• Crew and passengers 170 lb per person
• Other Considerations
Inspect the aircraft to see that all items included in the
certificated empty weight are installed in the proper
location. Remove items that are not regularly carried
in flight. Also look in the baggage compartments to
make sure they are empty.
Replace all inspection plates, oil and fuel tank caps,
junction box covers, cowling, doors, emergency exits,
and other parts that been removed. All doors,
windows, and sliding canopies should be in their
normal flight position. Remove excessive dirt, oil,
grease, and moisture from the aircraft.
Some aircraft are not weighed with the wheels on the
scales, but are weighed with the scales placed either
at the jacking points or at special weighing points.
Regardless of what provisions are made for placing
the aircraft on the scales or jacks, be careful to
prevent it from falling or rolling off, thereby
damaging the aircraft and equipment.
When weighing an aircraft with the wheels placed on
the scales, release the brakes to reduce the possibility
of incorrect readings caused by side loads on the
scales.
All aircraft have leveling points or lugs, and care
must be taken to level the aircraft, especially along
the longitudinal axis. With light, fixed-wing
airplanes, the lateral level is not as critical as it is with
heavier airplanes.
However, a reasonable effort should be made to level
the light airplanes along the lateral axis. Helicopters
must be level longitudinally and laterally when they
are weighed. Accuracy in leveling all aircraft
longitudinally cannot be overemphasized
• Weighing Points
When an aircraft is being weighed, the arms must be
known for the points where the weight of the aircraft
is being transferred to the scales. If a tricycle gear
small airplane has its three wheels sitting on floor
scales, the weight transfer to each scale happens
through the center of the axle for each wheel.
If an airplane is weighed while it is on jacks, the weight
transfer happens through the center of the jack pad. For
a helicopter with skids for landing gear, determining
the arm for the weighing points can be difficult if the
skids are sitting directly on floor scales.
The problem is that the skid is in contact with the
entire top portion of the scale, and it is impossible to
know exactly where the center of weight transfer is
occurring. In such a case, place a piece of pipe
between the skid and the scale, and the center of the
pipe will now be the known point of weight transfer.
The arm for each of the weighing points is the
distance from the center of the weight transfer point
to the aircraft’s datum. If the arms are not known,
based on previous weighing of the aircraft or some
other source of data, they must be measured when the
aircraft is weighed
This involves dropping a plumb bob from the center
of each weighing point and from the aircraft datum,
and putting a chalk mark on the hangar floor
representing each point. The perpendicular distance
between the datum and each of the weighing points
can then be measured
Loading an Aircraft for Flight
• The ultimate test of whether or not 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
empty weight center of gravity is how it affects the
loaded weight and balance of the airplane, since an
airplane doesn’t fly when it is empty.
 The
End

Our home is in the sky, we are the metal

birds, we will fly soon.