Weight and Balance

The day came, what does she weigh?

First the task of getting it in a flight attitude, on scales, and balanced. Fortunately, Scott was along to help and give advice. Everything in is, cowlings are on top of engine, fairings are taped in pace.

Once she was in, I sat back and took the readings. Then Scott says ok lets go, got to move the scales. Move the scales?  Well it turns out in the real aviation world of Delta, they move the scales around and take average readings due to the inaccuracy of the scales. UGHH!!!

So we did. As it turns out, there was a serious difference between scales. Here is my chart. Scales on 3 readings showed 20lbs difference. WOW!. Numbers shown here are from the average readings.

Left Main Rt. Main Nose Total
weight 447 443 299 1189
Component Weight * Arm = Moment
Lmain 447 84.25 37659.75
Rmain 443 84.25 37322.75
Nose 299 28.5 8521.5
sub total 83504
Fuel@6lb/gal 204 70 14280
Pilot 200 87.4 17480
Passenger 200 87.4 17480
Baggage 83 117 9711
sub total 58951
CG Range  68.7 to 76.8 in aft of datum
Empty C.G 70.23
Max. Gross Weight Full Baggage, No  Pax
Item Weight Arm Moment Item Weight Arm Moment
Aircraft 1,189 83,504 Aircraft 1,189 83,504
Fuel (6 lbs/gal) 228 70 15,960 Fuel (6 lbs/gal) 228 70 15,960
Pilot 200 87 17,480 Pilot 200 87 17,480
Passenger 200 87 17,480 Passenger 0 87 0
Baggage 83 117 9,711 Baggage 83 117 9,711
Total 1,900 144,135 Total 1,700 126,655
CG: 75.86 CG: 74.5
Zero Fuel CG 76.66 Zero Fuel CG 75.2
Pilot, Pax, No Baggage Pilot, No Pax, No Baggage
Item Weight Arm Moment Item Weight Arm Moment
Aircraft 1,189 83,803 Aircraft 1,189 83,504
Fuel (6 lbs/gal) 228 70 15,960 Fuel (6 lbs/gal) 228 70 15,960
Pilot 200 87 17,480 Pilot 170 87 14,858
Passenger 200 87 17,480 Passenger 0 87 0
Baggage 0 117 0 Baggage 0 117 0
Total 1,817 134,723 Total 1,587 114,322
CG: 74.15 CG: 72.04
Zero Fuel CG 74.74 Zero Fuel CG 72.38