Aircraft navigation terms can often be confusing, especially when a pilot doesn't use them every day. FAA-H-8083-1A, Aircraft Weight and Balance Handbook, has been prepared in recognition of the importance of weight and balance technology in conducting safe and efficient flight.
Lighter-than-air aircraft means aircraft that can rise and remain suspended by using contained gas weighing less than the air that is displaced by the gas. Arm: A horizontal distance, usually measured in inches, from the reference datum to the CG or a load in the airplane. Thoroughly understand how to compute an accurate weight and balance for the particular aircraft to be flown. Reference Datum: An imaginary vertical plane from which all horizontal distances are measured. 1-2. Load factor means the ratio of a specified load to the total weight of the aircraft. The aircraft has: Basic Empty Weight (BEW) is the weight of the aircraft "as built" and includes the weight of the structure, power plant, furnishings, installations, systems and other equipment that are considered an integral part of an aircraft before additional operator items are added for operation. Understand how weight and balance will affect aircraft handling and performance. Understand all the terms relating to weight and balance. Aircraft Balance Definitions. 10.1 Weight and Balance Definitions Empty weight - Empty weight consists of the airframe, engine, and all items of operating equipment permanently installed in the airplane, including optional special equipment, fixed ballast, hydraulic fluid, unusable fuel, and undrainable (or, in some aircraft, all) oil.

The objective of this handbook is twofold: to provide the Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic (A&P) with the method of determining the empty weight and Experience with cross-country flights and practical use of navigation techniques make these terms easier to identify. Center Of Gravity The point at which an aircraft would balance if it were possible to suspend it at that point. Center of Gravity (CG): The point at which an airplane would balance if it were possible to suspend it from that point. Although not a weather phenomena, aircraft weight and balance is important for flight. Weight and balance specifics are unique to different aircraft A weight and balance example should be included with your POH; Most pilots however, will learn and therefore be able to relate to the Cessna 172: [Figure 4] Block 1: Determine the Basic Empty Weight (BEW) of the airplane (found in POH) Sometimes weather conditions affect the weight and balance, and sometimes the weight and balance affect or limit how the pilot can respond to weather factors. SCOPE Commit to setting personal limitations to always fly within weight and balance limitations.

The Federal Aviation Administration defines that the aircraft gross weight is the total aircraft weight at any moment during the flight or ground operation. The aircraft gross weight decreases during flight due to fuel and oil consumption. The moment divided by a constant such as ( 100, 1000, 10,000 ) to simply weight and balance computations of aircraft with heavy items. record and control of aircraft weight and balance. Let's review navigation terms and the corresponding definitions:
Information and explanation of principles, terms, and definitions are presented to provide weight and balance personnel with a general information manual pertinent to their particular function.

Weight & Balance .