Aircraft Weight and Balance

Aircraft Stability and Balance

• Stability is the ability of an aircraft to return to its original flight attitude after being disturbed.
• Balance is the distribution of weight within the aircraft, ensuring it remains level and controllable.
• The Center of Gravity (CG) is the point where the aircraft's weight is concentrated. It is critical to have a CG within specific limits for stable and controlled flight.

Importance of CG Location

• CG Location: The CG must be within specific limits to ensure the aircraft is stable and controllable.
• Too far forward: Difficult to lift off, pitch up during landing, and could stall.
• Too far aft: Difficulty in controlling pitch, might experience uncontrollable nose-down pitch, and could lead to a spin.

Aircraft Weight and Balance

• Purpose: The weight and balance program aims to ensure all aircraft are properly loaded within specific limits.
• Consequences: Failing to adhere to these limits could lead to dangerous flight characteristics and potentially catastrophic accidents.

Aircraft Weighing

• Reason for Weighing: To determine the aircraft's actual weight and balance.
• Preparation:
  • Empty aircraft including all permanently installed equipment
  • Empty fuel tanks
  • Empty baggage compartment
  • All seats in place
  • All removable equipment not normally needed for flight
• Weighing Procedure: The aircraft is weighed at several points, and the data is used to calculate the CG location.

Weight and Balance System

• Importance: It helps maintain the aircraft's stability and balance, ensuring safe flight operations.
• Inaccurate information: It can result in incorrect weight and balance calculations, leading to an unstable and uncontrollable aircraft.

Pilot in Command

• Knowledge: The pilot in command must understand the weight and balance limits of the aircraft. This includes knowing the empty weight, moment, and the allowable CG range for the specific aircraft.
• Responsibility: Pilot in command is responsible for ensuring that the aircraft is properly loaded and balanced before flight.