What is a Weight and Balance Worksheet?

A weight and balance worksheet is a critical document for any aircraft pilot. This document records the weight of the aircraft, its occupants and any cargo they may be carrying. It also records the balance of the aircraft, which is the centre of gravity. The centre of gravity is the point at which all the weight of the aircraft is evenly distributed. This document is essential for pilots as it helps them ensure that the aircraft is safe to fly and that they remain within the approved weight and balance limits.

Why is Weight and Balance Important?

Weight and balance is important for the safety of the aircraft and its occupants. An aircraft must maintain its weight and balance to ensure that it remains within its approved limits. If an aircraft is overweight or unbalanced, it may lead to potential risks such as reduced performance, increased fuel consumption, or even structural damage.

What Should Be Included in a Weight and Balance Worksheet?

A weight and balance worksheet should include the following information: aircraft make, model, registration number, empty weight, empty moment, and maximum allowable ramp weight. It should also include the passengers’ and crew’s weight, the fuel weight, and any baggage or cargo weight. The worksheet should also include the aircraft’s centre of gravity limits, and the aircraft’s actual centre of gravity.

How to Calculate Weight and Balance?

Weight and balance calculations are a critical part of flight preparation. To calculate the aircraft’s weight and balance, the pilot must first add up the empty weight of the aircraft, the passengers’ and crew’s weight, the fuel weight, and any baggage or cargo weight. The total weight is then divided by the moment arm (the distance from the centre of gravity to the datum point) to calculate the centre of gravity. The aircraft’s centre of gravity must remain within the approved centre of gravity limits.

Conclusion

A weight and balance worksheet is an essential document for any aircraft pilot. It helps the pilot ensure that the aircraft remains within its approved weight and balance limits. The worksheet should include the aircraft’s empty weight, passengers’ and crew’s weight, fuel weight, and any baggage or cargo weight. Calculating the aircraft’s weight and balance is a critical part of flight preparation, and the aircraft’s centre of gravity must remain within the approved centre of gravity limits.