Advisory Circular - Aircraft Weight and Balance Control

aircraft according to the following data: For a fleet of one to three, weigh all aircraft; for a fleet of four to nine, weigh three aircraft plus at least 50 percent of the number over three; for a fleet of nine or over, weigh six aircraft plus at least ten peroent of the number over nine. (2) In choosing the aircraft to be weighed, the aircraft in the fleet having the highest time since last weighing should be selected. When the average empty weight and CG position have been determined for aircraft weighed and the basic fleet empty weight (winter and summer, if applicable) established, necessary data should be computed for aircraft not weighed, but which are considered eligible under such fleet weight. Par 6 Page 3 A C 1 3 5 - 1 B 1 / 1 9 / 7 6 ( 3 ) I F T H E E M P T Y W E I G H T O F A N Y A I R C R A F T W E I G H E D , O R T H E O A L O U L A T E D E M P T Y W E I G H T O F A N Y O F T H E R E M A I N I N G A I R C R A F T I N T H E F L E E T , V A R I E S B Y A N A M O U N T M O R E T H A N P L U S O R M I N U S O N E - H A L F O F O N E P E R C E N T F R O M T H E A V E R A G E F L E E T E M P T Y W E I G H T , O R T H E C G P O S I T I O N V A R I E S M O R E T H A N P L U S O R M I N U S O N E - H A L F O F O N E P E R C E N T F R O M T H E A V E R A G E F L E E T C G P O S I T I O N , T H A T A I R C R A F T S H O U L D B E O M I T T E D F R O M T H A T G R O U P ' A N D B E O P E R A T E D U S I N G I T S A C T U A L O R O A L O U L A T E D E M P T Y W E I G H T A N D C G P O S I T I O N . I F I T F A L L S W I T H I N T H E L I M I T S O F A N O T H E R F L E E T O R G R O U P , I T M A Y T H E N B E C O M E P A R T O F T H A T G R O U P . I N O A S E S W H E R E T H E A I R C R A F T I S W I T H I N T H E F L E E T E M P T Y W E I G H T T O L E R A N C E , B U T T H E C G P O S I T I O N V A R I E S I N E X C E S S O F T H E T O L E R A N C E A L L O W E D , T H E A I R C R A F T M A Y S T I L L B E O P E R A T E D U N D E R T H E A P P L I C A B L E F L E E T E M P T Y W E I G H T , B U T W I T H A N I N D I V I D U A L C G P O S I T I O N . ( 4 ) W H E N A N A I R C R A F T W I T H I N A F L E E T O R G R O U P H A S B E E N A L T E R E D ( W E I G H T O R C G C H A N G E S ) , T H A T A I R C R A F T ' S F L E E T E M P T Y W E I G H T O R C O R R E S P O N D I N G C G P O S I T I O N M A Y B E R E E S T A B L I S H E D B Y C A L C U L A T I O N B A S E D O N T H E O U R R E N T A V E R A G E E M P T Y W E I G H T O F A I R C R A F T W E I G H E D F O R F L E E T W E I G H T P U R P O S E S . ( 5 ) W E I G H I N G F O R R E E S T A B L I S H M E N T O F A L L F L E E T W E I G H T S I S N O R M A L L Y C O N D U C T E D O N A 3 6 - C A L E N D A R M O N T H B A S I S , U N L E S S O T H E R W I S E A P P R O V E D I N T H E O P E R A T O R ' S O P E R A T I O N S S P E C I F I C A T I O N S . 7 . L O A D I N G S C H E D U L E . D E S I G N L O A D I N G S C H E D U L E S A R E T O B E S I M P L E A N D O R D E R L Y , B A S E D O N S O U N D P R I N C I P L E S , T H U S R E D U C I N G T H E E L E M E N T O F H U M A N E R R O R . A C O P Y O F T H E L O A D I N G S C H E D U L E I S K E P T W I T H T H E A I R C R A F T A N D , I N S O M E C A S E S , F O R M S A P A R T O F T H E A I R P L A N E F L I G H T M A N U A L . I T I N O L U D E S I N S T R U C T I O N S O N T H E P R O P E R L O A D D I S T R I B U T I O N , S U O H A S F I L L I N G O F F U E L A N D O I L T A N K S , P A S S E N G E R S E A T I N G R E S T R I C T I O N S T O P A S S E N G E R M O V E M E N T , D I S T R I B U T I O N O F C A R G O , E T C . I T M U S T P R O V I D E F O R A R E D U C T I O N O F P A S S E N G E R S , F U E L A N D / O R B A G G A G E , E T C . , A S A P P R O P R I A T E T O R E M A I N W I T H I N T H E A I R C R A F T W E I G H T A N D B A L A N C E L I M I T A T I O N S . A . O T H E R M E A N S O F D E T E R M I N I N G S A F E L O A D I N G C O N D I T I O N S , S U O H A S T H E U S E O F G R A P H I O I N D E X , L O A D A D J U S T E R , E T C , A R E A O O E P T A B L E . B . P R O V I D E F O R C O M P U T I N G A S E P A R A T E L O A D I N G C O N D I T I O N W H E N T H E A I R C R A F T I S T O B E L O A D E D I N O T H E R T H A N A S S P E C I F I E D I N T H E L O A D I N G S C H E D U L E . 8 . C O M P U T I N G A I R C R A F T L O A D * A . P A S S E N G E R W E I G H T . T H E O P E R A T O R M A Y E L E C T T O U S E A V E R A G E P A S S E N G E R W E I G H T T O C O M P U T E P A S S E N G E R L O A D S O V E R A N Y R O U T E , E X C E P T I N T H O S E C A S E S W H E R E N O N S T A N D A R D W E I G H T P A S S E N G E R G R O U P S A R E C A R R I E D . E I T H E R M E T H O D M A Y B E U S E D I N T E R C H A N G E A B L Y , P R O V I D E D O N L Y O N E M E T H O D I S U S E D F O R A N Y F L I G H T F R O M B E G I N N I N G T O T E R M I N A T I N G P O I N T O F T H E P A R T I C U L A R T R I P O R F L I G H T I N V O L V E D . I N C O R P O R A T E P R O V I S I O N S W H I C H C L E A R L Y I N D I C A T E T O P E R S O N N E L T H E C I R C U M S T A N C E S U N D E R W H I C H A C T U A L O R A V E R A G E P A G E 4 P A R 6 1 / 1 9 / 7 6 AC 135-1B passenger weights are t o be used i n oomputing the passenger l o a d . ( 1 ) Average passenger w e i g h t . ( a ) An average weight of 160 pounds (sumner) may be used f o r a d u l t passengers during t h e calendar period from May 1 through October 3 1 . ( b ) An average weight of 165 pounds ( w i n t e r ) may be used f o r each a d u l t passenger during t h e calendar period from November 1 through A p r i l 3 0 . ( c ) An average of 80 pounds may be used f o r ohildren between t h e ages o f 2 and 1 2 . Children above 12 years of age are o l a s s i f i e d as a d u l t s f o r t h e purpose of weight and balance computations. Children l e s s than 2 years of age are considered "babes i n arms." (d) The above passenger weight inoludes minor items normally c a r r i e d by a passenger. ( 2 ) Actual passenger weight. Do not use the average passenger weight method i n the oase of f l i g h t s carrying passengers whose average weight o b v i o u s l y does not oonform with the normal standard weight. Use a c t u a l weights when a passenger load c o n s i s t s p a r t l y o f a t h l e t i c squads or other groups which are smaller or l a r g e r than the U . S . a v e r a g e . ( 3 ) Actual passenger weight may be determined by s c a l e weighing of each passenger p r i o r to boarding the a i r c r a f t , with such weight inoluding minor a r t i c l e s c a r r i e d on board by the passenger. I f such a r t i c l e s are not weighed, account f o r the estimated weight. The a c t u a l passenger weight may a l s o be determined by asking each passenger h i s weight and adding t h e r e t o a predetermined constant t o provide f o r hand-oarried a r t i c l e s and a l s o t o cover p o s s i b l e seasonal e f f e c t upon passenger weight due t o variance in o l o t h i n g w e i g h t . This constant may be approved f o r an operator on the b a s i s of a d e t a i l e d study by the operator over the p a r t i c u l a r routes involved and during the extreme seasons when a p p l i c a b l e . b- Crew Weight. For crewmembers, t h e f o l l o w i n g average weights may be u t i l i z e d : ( 1 ) Male oabin attendants 150 pounds, female cabin attendants 1 3 0 pounds. ( 2 ) A l l o t h e r crewmembers, 170 pounds. Par 8 Page 5 AC 135--1B 1/19/76 c. Passenger and Crew Baggage. Provide procedures which properly acoount for all baggage, including that carried on board by the passengers. If desired by the operator, a standard crew baggage weight may«be used. The following average passenger baggage weights may be 'used in lieu of actual weights: (1) For each piece of checked baggage, an average of not leas than 23.5 pounds; and (2) For each passenger boarding the aircraft, add an average of not less than 5 pounds for hand baggage whether or not such baggage is carried by the passenger. (3) Do not use average passenger baggafee weights in computing the weight and balance of charter flights and other flights in volving the carriage of special groups. 9, LOAD MANIFEST. Develop a form, to be prepared by personnel responsible for supervising the loading of aircraft, together with procedures for Its completion. Include the following Items on the load manifest: a. The weight of the aircraft, fuel, oil, cargo, passengers, mail, and baggage. b. The maximum allowable takeoff weight for that flight. c. The total weight as computed under the approved procedures. d. Evidence that the aircraft is loaded according to an approved schedule, which insures that the center of gravity is within limits, and will regain so throughout the proposed flight. 10. SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT. Consider the following details when developing weight and balance control procedures: a. Insure that the terms and descriptions used are readily understandable to prevent possible confusion and error. Chapter 13 of Advisory Circular No. 4^-13-1A provides a listing of recognized terminology. b. Mark all seats, compartments, and other loading stations using identification corresponding to the procedures established for computing the weight and balance of each aircraft. c. When the loading schedules require blocking-off seats or compartments in order to remain within center of gravity limits, provide effective means to assure that such seats or compartments are not occupied during operations specified. Page 6 Par 8 1 / 1 9 / 7 6 AC 1 3 5 - l B d . Include information r e l a t i v e t o maximum c a p a c i t i e s , and other p e r t i nent l i m i t a t i o n s , a f f e c t i n g the weight or balance of the a i r c r a f t i n these i n s t r u c t i o n s . e . Prepare and i s s u e s p e c i a l i n s t r u c t i o n s t o appropriate f l i g h t and ground personnel when i t i s p o s s i b l e t o exceed approved"aircraft CG l i m i t s by adverse d i s t r i b u t i o n or displacement of passengers, bag gage, or c a r g o . Center o f g r a v i t y during f l i g h t . F u l l y account f o r extreme v a r i a t i o n s i n center of g r a v i t y t r a v e l during f l i g h t caused by a l l or any combination of the following v a r i a b l e s : ( 1 ) The movement of passengers and cabin attendants from t h e i r normal p o s i t i o n In the a i r c r a f t cabin t o such l o c a t i o n s as a lounge or l a v a t o r y . I f the c a p a c i t y o f such compartment i s one, the movement of e i t h e r one passenger or one cabin attendant, whichever most adversely a f f e c t s the CG condition, w i l l be c o n s i d e r e d . Combine the v a r i o u s c o n d i t i o n s in such a manner t h a t the most adverse e f f e c t on the CG w i l l be obtained and accounted f o r In the development of the loading s c h e d u l e , t o assure that the a i r c r a f t i s loaded with the approved l i m i t s at a l l times during f l i g h t . ( 2 ) Landing gear r e t r a c t i o n . I n v e s t i g a t e and account for a p o s s i b l e change in CG p o s i t i o n due t o landing gear r e t r a c t i o n . ( 3 ) F u e l . Account f o r the e f f e c t of CG t r a v e l during a i r c r a f t f l i g h t due t o f u e l oonsuraed down t o the required reserve quantity or to an acceptable ^Inl-nuii reserve quantity e s t a b l i s h e d f o r a p a r t i c u l a r r o u t e . S* Weight o f f l u i d s . Describe the procedure t o be used f o r determining the q u a n t i t y of f l u i d s on board each a i r c r a f t operated. The t o t a l weights o f a l l f l u i d s may be e s t a b l i s h e d by c a l c u l a t i o n , using standard unit weights, such a s : 1 1 . RECORDS. Describe methods by which personnel w i l l maintain a complete, c u r r e n t , and continuous reoord of the weight and center of g r a v i t y o f each a i r c r a f t . Include the procedure f o r recording a l t e r a t i o n s and changes a f f e c t i n g e i t h e r weight or balance of the a i r c r a f t , together with a procedure f o r maintaining a complete and current equlp-nent l i s t . Gasoline Turbine f u e l . . Lubricating o i l 6 pounds per U . S . g a l l o n 6 . 7 pounds per U . S . g a l l o n 7 . 5 pounds per U . S . g a l l o n Par 10 Page 7 AC 135-1B 1/19/76 12- OPERATIONS SPECIFICATIONS. An approved weight and balance control system should be specified in the Operations Specifications shown on the examples of FAA Form 1014 (Operations Specifications) in Appendix 1, Pages 1, 2, and 3. J. A. FERRARESE, Acting Director Flight Standards Service Page 8 Par 12 " 1 9 / 7 6 AC 135-1B Appendix 1 APPENDIX 1. FAA FORM 1014, OPERATIONS SPECIFICATIONS Punn \|i|in»pi1. U N I T E D S T A T E S O F A M E R I C A uuJm iiun-au NO. W-IW;*. F E D E R A L A V I A T I O N A G E N C Y _ WASHINGTON EXAMPLE PART E O P E R A T I O N S S P E C I F I C A T I O N S EXAMPLE OPERATIONS SPECIFICATIONS AIRCRAFT WEIGHT AND BALANCE CONTROL The following procedures have been established to maintain control of weight and balance of A B C Air Taxi Aircraft operated under the terms of these specifications (identified below) and to insure that these aircraft are loaded within the gross weight a n d center of gravity limitations. Determination of Weight o f Passengers a n d Crew. Procedures by which either actual o r approved average passenger and crew weights m a y be used are provided in the operator's company manual. Section , Page . Determination of Weight o f Baggage. (a) W h e n computing the weight and balance of the aircraft, the average passenger baggage weights used are in accordance with the weight and balance section o f A B C A i r Taxi's company manual. Section , Page . (b) T h e average passenger baggage weights authorized in paragraph (a) shall n o t be used i n computing weight and balance involving carriage o f non-standard groups. Periodic Aircraft Weighing. A l t aircraft will be weighed in accordance with the procedures for establishing individual o r fleet aircraft weights as outlined i n weight a n d balance section o f A B C A i r Taxi company manual. Section , Page . Loading Schedules and Identification of Aircraft. The following loading schedules are used for routine operation: Aircraft Type Type Loading Schedule 1. Beech 99 Passenger and Cargo Tabular 2. Beech 18 Cargo Index Loading Instructions. Loading instructions relative to the above listed loading schedules are set forth in A B C A i r Taxi weight a n d balance section of the company manual. Section , Page . K N V r t i v i * Hnto Page 1 A C 1 3 5 - 1 B UW7S A p p e n d i x 1 A I R C R A F T W E I G H T A N D B A L A N C E C O N T R O L T h e o p e r a t o r i s a u t h o r i z e d t o u s e a v e r a g e p a s s e n g e r w e i g h t s t o c o m p u t e p a s s e n g e r l o a d s o v e r a n y r o u t e , e x c e p t I n t h o s e c a s e s w h e r e n o n s t a n d a r d w e i g h t p a s s e n g e r g r o u p s a r e c a r r i e d . E i t h e r m e t h o d m a y b e u s e d I n t e r c h a n g a b t y p r o v i d e d o n l y o n e m e t h o d I s u s e d f o r a n y f l i g h t f r o m b e g i n n i n g t o t e r m i n a t i n g p o i n t o f t h e p a r t i c u l a r t r i p o r f l i g h t i n v o l v e d . 1 * A v e r a g e P a s s e n g e r W e i g h t . a . A n a v e r a g e w e i g h t o f 1 6 0 p o u n d s ( s u n n i e r ) m a y b e u s e d f o r a d u l t p a s s e n g e r s d u r i n g t h e c a l e n d a r p e r i o d o f M a y 1 t h r o u g h O c t o b e r 3 1 . b . A n a v e r a g e w e i g h t o f 1 6 $ p o u n d s ( w i n t e r ) m a y b e u s e d f o r e a c h a d u l t p a s s e n g e r d u r i n g t h e c a l e n d a r p e r i o d f r o m N o v e m b e r 1 t h r o u g h A p r i l 30. c . A n a v e r a g e o f 8 0 p o u n d s m a y b e u s e d f o r c h i l d r e n b e t w e e n t h e a g e s o f 2 a n d 1 2 . C h i l d r e n a b o v e 1 2 y e a r s o f a g e a r e c l a s s i f i e d a s a d u l t s f o r t h e p u r p o s e o f w e i g h t a n d b a l a n c e c o m p u t a t i o n s . C h i l d r e n l e s s t h a n 2 y e a r s o l d a r e c o n s i d e r e d " b a b e s i n a r m s . " d . T h e a b o v e p a s s e n g e r w e i g h t i n c l u d e s m i n o r i t e m s n o r m a l l y c a r r i e d b y a p a s s e n g e r , s u c h a s h a n d b a g s a n d a t t a c h e c a s e s . e . D s c o f a v e r a g e p a s s e n g e r w e i g h t i s n o t a u t h o r i z e d i n t h e c a s e o f f l i g h t s c a r r y i n g p a s s e n g e r s w h o s e a v e r a g e w e i g h t o b v i o u s l y d o e s n o t c o n f o r m w i t h t h e n o r m a l s t a n d a r d w e i g h t . 2 . A c t u a l P a s s e n g e r W e i g h t . A c t u a l w e i g h t w i l l b e u s e d w h e n a p a s s e n g e r l o a d c o n s i s t s p a r t l y o r e n t i r e l y o f a t h l e t i c s q u a d s o r o t h e r g r o u p s w h i c h a r e l a r g e r o r s m a l l e r t h a n t h e a v e r a g e p a s s e n g e r w e i g h t a s s e t f o r t h i n I a b o v e , o r w h e n t h e p a s s e n g e r s * a v e r a g e w e i g h t o b v i o u s l y d o e s n o t c o n f o r m w i t h t h e a v e r a g e p a s s e n g e r w e i g h t . A c t u a l p a s s e n g e r w e i g h t m a y b e d e t e r m i n e d b y s c a l e w e i g h i n g o f e a c h p a s s e n g e r p r i o r t o b o a r d i n g t h e a i r c r a f t , w i t h s u c h w e i g h t i n c l u d i n g m i n o r a r t i c l e s c a r r i e d o n b o a r d b y t h e p a s s e n g e r . I f s u c h a r t i c l e s a r e n o t w e i g h e d , a c c o u n t f o r t h e e s t i m a t e d w e i g h t . T h e a c t u a l p a s s e n g e r w e i g h t m a y a l s o b e d e t e r m i n e d b y a s k i n g e a c h p a s s e n g e r h i s w e i g h t a n d a d d i n g t h e r e t o a p r e d e t e r m i n e d c o n s t a n t t o p r o v i d e f o r h a n d c a r r i e d a r t i c l e s a n d a l s o t o c o v e r p o s s i b l e s e a s o n a l e f f e c t u p o n p a s s e n g e r w e i g h t d u e t o v a r i a n c e i n c l o t h i n g w e i g h t . 3 . C r e w W e i g h t . F o r c r e w m e m b e r s , t h e f o l l o w i n g a v e r a g e w e i g h t s m a y b e u t i l i z e d : a . H a l e c a b i n a t t e n d a n t s I S O p o u n d s ; f e m a l e c a b i n a t t e n d a n t s 1 3 0 p o u n d s . b . A l l o t h e r c r e w m e m b e r s 1 7 0 p o u n d s . E f l V r t i v * - Ante P a g e 2 t'. if III A|'|«ut> ' U n i t e d S t a t e s o f A m e r i c a iiwibh tinnuM v . m u«: rCOCHAL A V I A T I O N A G E N C Y WASHING TON E x a m p l e P a r t E O P E R A T I O N S S I ' K C l F I X - A T I O N S 1 / 1 9 / 7 6 AC 135-1B Appendix 1 U N I T E D S T A T E S O F A M E R I C A F E D E R A L A V I A T I O N A G L N C V W A S H I N O T O N Exaii.pl e OPERATIONS SPECIFICATIONS AIRCRAFT WEIGHT AND BALANCE CONTROL 4, Passenger and C r n w Baggage. The following average passenger baggage weights may be used in lieu of actual weightst a. For each piece of check baggage, an average of not less than 23.5 pounds; and b. For each passenger boarding the aircraft, an average of not less than 5 pounds for hand baggage whether or not such baggage is carried by the passenger, c. Do not use average passenger baggage weights in computing the weight and balance of charter flights and 6Cher flights involving the carriage of special groups. LOAD MANIFEST. K load manifest must be prepared by the flight crew prior to departure from the Loading ramp and it shall include at least the following items: (1) The weight of the aircraft, fuel, oil, cargo, passengers, mail and baggage. (2) The maximum allowable weight for that flight. (3) The total weight as computed under the approved procedures. (4) Evidence that the aircraft 'is loaded according to an approved schedule which ensures that the center of gravity is within limits and will remain so throughout the proposed flight. IH ANY EVENT, REGARDLESS OF WHICH METHOD IS USED, THE AIRCRAFT MUST NOT EXCEED ALLOWABLE WEIGHT AND CENTER OF GRAVITY LIMITS * Uirlft ( lui'vu'i \ » in Part E Effwtivi* dnt*» Page 3 D E P A R T M E N T O P T R A N S P O R T A T I O N FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION Washington, D.C. 20991 Official Business POSTA01 AHD FEES PAIS FtDBRAL AVIATION AO MX If I8TRATIO K DOT 515 PENALTY F O R PRIVATE USE. »0Q