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8083-1A Cover.indd 1
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Aircraft
Weight and Balance
Handbook
2007
U.S. Department of tranSportation
Federal Aviation Administration
flight Standards Service

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Preface
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Preface
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faa-H-8083-1a, Aircraft Weight and Balance Handbook,
this publication may be purchased from the
has been prepared in recognition of the importance of
Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government printing
weight and balance technology in conducting safe and
office (Gpo), Washington, DC 20402-9325, or from
efficient flight. the objective of this handbook is twofold:
Gpo’s web site.
to provide the airframe and powerplant mechanic (a&p)
with the method of determining the empty weight and
http://bookstore.gpo.gov
empty-weight center of gravity (eWCG) of an aircraft,
and to furnish the flightcrew with information on loading
this handbook is also available for download, in pdf
and operating the aircraft to ensure its weight is within the
format, from the regulatory Support Division’s (afS-600)
allowable limit and the center of gravity (CG) is within the
web site.
allowable range.
http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/
any time there is a conflict between the information in this avs/offices/afs/afs600
handbook and specific information issued by an aircraft
manufacturer, the manufacturer’s data takes precedence
this handbook is published by the U.S. Department of
over information in this handbook. occasionally, the
transporation, federal aviation administration, airmen
word must or similar language is used where the desired
testing Standards Branch, afS-630, p.o. Box 25082,
action is deemed critical. the use of such language is not
oklahoma City, oK 73125.
intended to add to, interpret, or relieve a duty imposed by
Comments regarding this publication should be sent, in
title 14 of the Code of federal regulations (14 Cfr).
email form, to the following address.
afS630Comments@faa.gov

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Introduction
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Introduction
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this handbook begins with the basic principle of aircraft
information is included that allows an a&p mechanic or
weight and balance control, emphasizing its importance
repairman to determine the weight and center of gravity (CG)
and including examples of documentation furnished by the
changes caused by repairs and alterations. this includes
aircraft manufacturer and by the faa to ensure the aircraft instructions for conducting adverse-loaded CG checks, also
weight and balance records contain the proper data.
explaining the way to determine the amount and location of
ballast needed to bring the CG within allowable limits.
procedures for the preparation and the actual weighing
of an aircraft are described, as are the methods of
the unique requirements for helicopter weight and balance
determining the location of the empty-weight center of
control are discussed, including the determination of
gravity (eWCG) relative to both the datum and the mean
lateral CG and the way both lateral and longitudinal CG
aerodynamic chord (maC).
change as fuel is consumed.
Loading computations for general aviation aircraft are
a chapter is included giving the methods and examples
discussed, using both loading graphs and tables of weight
of solving weight and balance problems, using hand-
and moment indexes.
held electronic calculators, e6-B flight computers, and a
dedicated electronic flight computer.
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Contents
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Contents
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Chapter 1
Leveling Means ........................................................2-11
Weight and Balance Control ........................................1-1
manufacturer-furnished information ...........................2-11
Weight Control ................................................................1-1
Chapter 3
effects of Weight.............................................................1-2
Weighing the Aircraft and Determining
Weight Changes ..............................................................1-2
the Empty-Weight Center of Gravity ..........................3-1
Stability and Balance Control .........................................1-3
requirements ..................................................................3-1
Weight Control for aircraft other than
equipment for Weighing .................................................3-1
fixed and rotorwing .......................................................1-5
preparation for Weighing ................................................3-2
Chapter 2
Weigh Clean Aircraft Inside Hangar .........................3-2
Weight and Balance Theory
Equipment List ...........................................................3-2
and Documentation .......................................................2-1
Ballast ........................................................................3-2
Weight and Balance theory ............................................2-1
Draining the Fuel.......................................................3-2
aircraft arms, Weights, and moments ...........................2-1
Oil ..............................................................................3-2
the Law of the Lever ......................................................2-1
Other Fluids ...............................................................3-3
Determining the CG ........................................................2-2
Configuration of the Aircraft .....................................3-3
Shifting the CG ...............................................................2-3
Jacking the Aircraft ....................................................3-3
Basic Weight and Balance equation ...............................2-4
Leveling the Aircraft ..................................................3-3
Shifting the airplane CG ................................................2-5
Safety Considerations .....................................................3-3
Weight and Balance Documentation ...............................2-6
Determining the Center of Gravity .................................3-4
FAA-Furnished Information .......................................2-6
Two Ways to Express CG Location ............................3-4
Data Pertinent to Individual Models .........................2-6
empty-Weight Center of Gravity formulas ....................3-5
CG Range ...................................................................2-6
Datum Forward of the Airplane—
Utility Category .........................................................2-6
Nose Wheel Landing Gear .........................................3-5
Empty Weight CG Range .........................................2-10
Datum Aft of the Main Wheels—
Maximum Weights ....................................................2-10
Nose Wheel Landing Gear .........................................3-5
Number of Seats .......................................................2-10
Location of Datum .....................................................3-6
Maximum Baggage (Structural Limit) .....................2-10
Datum Forward of the Main Wheels —
Tail Wheel Landing Gear ...........................................3-6
Fuel Capacity ...........................................................2-10
Datum Aft of the Main Wheels—
Oil Capacity (Wet Sump) .........................................2-10
Tail Wheel Landing Gear ...........................................3-6
Data Pertinent to all Models ....................................2-10
Location with Respect to the
Datum ......................................................................2-10
Mean Aerodynamic Chord .........................................3-6
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Chapter 4
Chapter 7
Small Fixed Wing Aircraft Operational
Large Aircraft
Weight and Balance Computations .............................4-1
Weight and Balance .....................................................7-1
Determining the Loaded Weight and CG ........................4-1
Weighing procedures ......................................................7-1
Computational Method ..............................................4-1
Determining the empty Weight and eWCG ...................7-1
Loading Graph Method .............................................4-3
Determining the Loaded CG of the Airplane
Moment Indexes .........................................................4-3
in Percent MAC ..........................................................7-2
Loading Graph ...........................................................4-3
On Board Aircraft Weighing System ..........................7-2
Compute Weight and Balance Using
Determining the Correct Stabilizer trim Setting ............7-4
the Loading Graph .....................................................4-4
Stabilizer Trim Setting in % MAC ..............................7-4
multiengine airplane Weight and
Stabilizer Trim Setting in Units ANU
Balance Computations ....................................................4-4
(Airplane Nose Up) ....................................................7-4
Determining the Loaded CG ......................................4-5
Determining CG Changes Caused by
The Charp Method Using weight,
modifying the Cargo .......................................................7-4
Arm, and Moments .....................................................4-5
Effects of Loading or Offloading Cargo ....................7-4
Determining the CG
effects of onloading Cargo ............................................7-5
in Percent of MAC ......................................................4-6
Effects of Shifting Cargo from
The Chart Method Using Weight,
One Hold to Another ..................................................7-6
and Moment Indexes ..................................................4-6
Determining Cargo pallet Loads with
Chapter 5
regard to floor Loading Limits......................................7-7
Center of Gravity Change After
Determining the maximum amount of payload
Repair or Alteration .....................................................5-1
that Can Be Carried .......................................................7-8
equipment List ................................................................5-1
Determining the Landing Weight ....................................7-8
Major Alteration and Repair .....................................5-1
Determining the minutes of fuel Dump time ..............7-10
Weight and Balance revision record .............................5-3
Weight and Balance of Commuter
Category airplanes .......................................................7-11
Weight Changes Caused by a repair or alteration .........5-3
Determining the Loaded Weight and CG .................7-15
Computations Using Weight, Arm, and Moment .......5-3
Determining the Changes in CG When
Computations Using Weight and
Passengers are Shifted .............................................7-15
Moment Indexes .........................................................5-4
Determining Changes in Weight and CG
empty-Weight CG range ...............................................5-4
When the Airplane is Operated in
adverse-Loaded CG Checks ...........................................5-4
its Cargo Configuration ...........................................7-16
Forward Adverse-Loaded CG Check .........................5-5
Determining the CG Shift When Cargo is Moved
From One Section to Another ..................................7-16
Aft Adverse-Loaded CG Check ..................................5-6
Determining the CG Shift When Cargo is
Ballast ........................................................................5-6
Added or Removed ...................................................7-17
Temporary Ballast ......................................................5-6
Determining Which Limits are Exceeded ................7-17
Temporary Ballast Formula .......................................5-6
Chapter 8
Permanent Ballast ......................................................5-6
Use of Computers for Weight
Chapter 6
and Balance Computations ..........................................8-1
Weight and Balance Control—Helicopters ................6-1
Using an Electronic Calculator to Solve
Determining the Loaded CG of a Helicopter ..................6-2
Weight and Balance Problems ...................................8-1
Using an E6-B Flight Computer to Solve
Effects of Offloading Passengers and Using Fuel ......6-3
Weight and Balance Problems ...................................8-1
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Using a Dedicated electronic flight Computer to
Solve Weight and Balance problems ..............................8-3
Typical Weight and Balance Problems ......................8-3
Determining CG in inches from the Datum ...................8-3
Nose Wheel Airplane with Datum
Ahead of the Main Wheels .........................................8-3
Nose Wheel Airplane with Datum
Behind the Main Wheels ............................................8-4
Tail Wheel Airplane with Datum
Ahead of the Main Wheels .........................................8-4
Tail Wheel Airplane with Datum
Behind the Main Wheels ............................................8-4
Determining CG, Given
Weights and arms ...........................................................8-4
Determining CG, given Weights
and Moment Indexes ..................................................8-5
Determining CG in Percent of
Mean Aerodynamic Chord .........................................8-5
Determining Later CG
of a Helicopter ...........................................................8-5
Determining ∆CG caused by
Shifting Weights .........................................................8-6
Determining Weight Shifted to Cause
Specified ∆CG ............................................................8-6
Determining Distance Weight is Shifted to
Move CG a Specific Distance ....................................8-6
Determining Total Weight of an Aircraft That Will
Have a Specified ∆CG When Cargo is Moved ...........8-6
Determining Amount of Ballast Needed to
Move CG to a Desired Location ................................8-6
Appendix
Supplemental Study Materials
for Aircraft Weight and Balance ................. Appendix-1
Glossary ............................................................Glossary-1
Index .......................................................................Index-1
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Document Outline

• 8083-1A_~FrontPages.pdf
• 8083-1A_Chapter1.pdf
• 8083-1A_Chapter2.pdf
• 8083-1A_Chapter3.pdf
• 8083-1A_Chapter4.pdf
• 8083-1A_Chapter5.pdf
• 8083-1A_Chapter6.pdf
• 8083-1A_Chapter7.pdf
• 8083-1A_Chapter8.pdf
• 8083-1A_zAppendix.pdf
• 8083-1A_zGlossary.pdf
• 8083-1A_zIndex.pdf

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