When you’re flying a small plane, you’ll want to keep an eye on weight and balance. If you don’t, your plane will not fly right. The FAA has a handy handbook you can refer to for information on how to calculate weight and balance.
Tables are similar to graphs
A table is not for the faint of heart, and it is not always the best way to present data. This is especially true in a classroom setting, when it’s hard to give students an individual look at your wares. One of the best ways to do this is by using a nifty little tool called a data frame. It can be as simple as a list of names, or you can get a little fancier and use a table as a canvas. For instance, you can use a chart that has a column for each name in the list. You can also add in some nifty tidbits, like how many pairs of shoes were in the cart, and how many pairs are in the car. The trick is to keep the number of items to a minimum, and make sure you can quickly and efficiently scan the chart at a glance.
Using a data frame to display weight and balance is the smart thing to do, especially if you’re trying to impress a clientele of ye olde schooled yanks. However, don’t expect your tables to look like they were made of paper. While you’re at it, you’ll probably want to add in a few hints, like the best time to visit and the best places to stay. If you are lucky, you might even get a tour of the pilot’s quarters.
Precision is your friend
If you are in the market for a new set of wheels you will undoubtedly be weighing options. In the process you will inevitably come across the odd one out. The best way to handle the situation is to make sure you have the right scales for the job. It is also a good idea to keep an eye out for shady operators. For example, you would be remiss to forget to check out the credentials of the sales rep you are dealing with. After all, a shady salesperson is the last thing you want to see on the showroom floor. A reputable dealer should be able to help you out in no time. One more important lesson to take away is the fact that you aren’t the only one in the business.
FAA’s Aircraft Weight and Balance Handbook
Weight and balance are two of the most important elements of an aircraft. They determine safety, performance, and control. If an aircraft is overweight or out of balance, it can cause damage to the airplane.
Airplanes are designed with weight limits in mind. When the plane exceeds these limits, it will be uncontrollable. In addition, excess weight may cause a longer takeoff run, a slower rate of climb, and a longer landing roll.
Pilots and mechanics are responsible for controlling weight and balance. This includes knowing the empty weight of passengers, cargo, and fuel. The Aircraft Flight Manual contains a number of charts to aid in calculating aircraft weight and balance. There are also tables that contain the numbers for each station.
Weight and balance calculations are one of the first skills that pilots learn. Practicing this skill is very important. You should make it a point to practice this skill until you are confident in your ability.
Before you start weighing your aircraft, you should be sure that your weight and balance calculations are correct. This is especially true if you have an airplane that has more than one compartment. Also, you should know the weight of all fluids that are inside your aircraft.
Weight and balance calculations can be done using a hand-held electronic calculator or an E6-B flight computer. The Federal Aviation Administration has published a book called the Weight and Balance Handbook. It is available for purchase from many pilot supply stores.
Calculating weight and balance is important, but it does not have to be complicated. A simple way to calculate the amount of weight in an aircraft is to multiply the arm of each item. For example, if the front passenger has 345 pounds of weight and the passenger in the rear has 350 pounds of weight, the total weight is 2,278 pounds.
These numbers can be used to check whether the airplane is within the allowable limits of moment envelope charts. Often, manufacturers use indexed moments to simplify the calculation.
Having accurate weight and balance information is vital to your safety. Performing these calculations is important for airworthiness, and you should perform them each time you take off or land your airplane.
