Thread: Weight/Balance

Thanx for the W/B sheets... now I just need a CT to use it on..

regarding the weight increases...

I'm told, by John at Sebring-Aviation, that all recent CTs have been a bit heavier, due to FD having to use a heavier/thicker composite material. Apparently, because of all the commercial and military aircraft now using composites, the lighter/thinner stuff is in short supply.

Tim

Picked mine up on Friday the 13th...weighed in at 750 lbs.

How do they weigh a plane? Equivalent of a truck scale?
Bob C

Three bathroom scales, one under each wheel and sum the readings.

714 lb empty - 2006 with analog panel, SL30/GTX327/G396/intercom package, Pictorial pilot AP, standard tires, BRS (standard in US), 3-blade Neuform.

Actually the scales I have seen are pretty complicated and expensive, they are also wired togather, (three of them).

Bathroom scales would not work for aircraft weight and balance.

Aero Resources at Columbia has a set, I used them once when redoing the weight and balance on my Cessna 205.

Acknowledged. I saw the 3 bathroom scales trick at an ultralight place. Maybe good enought for them but not for GA.

Originally Posted by administrator

Picked mine up on Friday the 13th...weighed in at 750 lbs.

At the rate they are gaining weight I better get one before it can't carry me anymore.

Hi Jim,

They do make nice aircraft scales that hook together, big bucks. These just make life a little easier.
Other scales do work. The problem with regular bathroom scales is that they don't always go high enough. They will work, I started using them back in 1982, I used them on several ultralights. My helicopter, a few years back, required 4 scales. Helicopters not only need fore/aft CG, but port/starboard. The bathroom scales that go to at least 300 lbs. will work, unless you have a big plane. Most people who build experimental or amateur built aircraft just use standard scales. I see them in use at my airport all the time. Weight/balance is not hard to figure once you know or pick a datum and what the Mfg's. specs are.

Attached is an Excel Weight & Balance with some additional bells and whistles. V speeds, oil change and annual dates, etc. Just enter your own correct dates, figures, and moments. If you notice anything in error, please let me know. It has color pop ups to alert you on dates or values that are out of range. You will see what I mean when you enter your own values.
Scott