Table of Contents
Why do we weigh an aircraft?
Why would you want to? The most crucial reason an operator would want to weigh its aircraft would be to find out what its basic empty weight is. Knowing how much an aircraft weighs, as well as where its empty center of gravity is, is crucial to planning flight operations.
How often does the aircraft have to be weighed Part 91?
Some aircraft are required to be weighed and have their center of gravity calculated on a periodic basis, typically every 3 years.
Do planes get weighed before takeoff?
Aircraft are not weighed prior to each flight, but the basic empty weight must be known and checked periodically per regulation.
What is the first procedure when weighing an aircraft?
Make sure you weigh the airplane chocks before you weigh the airplane. When on the scales make sure the airplane is in a level-flight attitude so all components will be at their correct distance from the datum, which results in the most accurate information. Use the leveling procedure recommended by the designer.
How do you prepare an aircraft for weighing?
Preparation for Weighing Aircraft
- Scale Preparation. Mechanical and electronic scales shall be inspected prior to use and set to zero.
- Weigh Clean Aircraft Inside Hangar.
- Equipment List.
- Ballast.
- Standard Weights.
- Draining the Fuel.
- Oil.
- Other Fluids.
What are the steps for weighing an aircraft?
Ascertain from the pilot’s operating handbook the empty weight of the aircraft and determine the weights of people, baggage, and fuel. Multiply each weight by the arm—the distance from the reference datum—to find the moment. Add all the weights to find the gross weight. Add all the moments to find the total moment.
Do you need to do a weight and balance before every flight?
It doesn’t require that you do a weight and balance for each flight. If operating close to the weight and balance limits of an aircraft, a wise pilot will not only run the numbers to ensure compliance with aircraft operating limitations, but will also keep his or her computation in the event of a ramp check.
Do aircraft get heavier as they get older?
There have been numerous BCP threads about how aircraft just naturally get heavier with age. Dirt, dust, sweat, humidity, coats of paint, etc, all slowly add to the empty weight of an aircraft over time.
Do you have to be a certain weight to be a pilot?
There are no weight requirements laid down by any country or aviation regulator but it’s kind of implied. The preferred height for pilots is between 5ft 4″ and 6ft 4″. The BMI should preferably between 18 and 25 but this can be overlooked on passing some additional medical tests to a certain limit.
How is an aircraft weighed?
There are two ways to weigh an aircraft: using load cells, whereby the aircraft is lifted up, or using a weighing platform. For this weighing, the aircraft is pulled by a tow truck onto yellow platforms (see film). Each wheel has its own set of scales.