AEROPLANE WEIGHT & BALANCE

47

D. Aeroplane Weights

D 1. Basic weights and index of each aeroplane, including date of weighing (All

aeroplanes vary in weight) ·

D 2. The various listing of weights and index changes of the numerous Operating

Items to cover the required. configuration of the aeroplane for each and every

type of flight

D 3. The DOW/APSW and INDEX for each aeroplane for each and

every configuration (D 1 and D 2 above}

E. Passenger Cabin

E 1. The minimum total number of passengers that may be carried, including any

09mpartment restrictions *
E 2. Passenger Cabin floor loading limitation *

E 3. Passenger entry and exist door sizes
E 4. Usable standard weights of passengers, and passenger cabin baggage (MF CI)
E 5. Limitations of weights, and use, of passenger cabin overhead stowage

compartment/racks

E 6. Plans or diagrams of passenger compartments, etc

E 7. Instructions on the carriage of special types of passengers (invalids, sick,

stretcher cases and very large people)

E 8. Regulations on the carriage, stowage and the limitations for the carriage of

baggage and/or cargo in the passenger cabins

F. Cargo/Freight Holds etc.

F 1. Details of cargo hold floor-loading limitations *
F 2. Maximum. volumetric capacity of cargo holds *
F 3. Maximum weight capacities of cargo holds *
F 4.
F 5. Instructions on the types, use and weight of load spreaders in cargo holds
F 6. Sizes of doors to cargo hold.
F 7.
Plans or diagrams of various cargo holds including dimension of holds
F 8.
Limitations on weight of cargo carried in holds, as to whether secure lashing is
F 9.
required*
F 10.
Instructions and full details for securing cargo in holds inclµding

lashing/securing points, etc.

Instructions for loading and securing any Pallets or containers in aeroplane

holds

The use and limitations for the carriage of ballast

NB These items are also contained in the aeroplane Flight Manual.

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F 11. The detailed instructions concerning the packaging and carriage of any type
·of special cargo/Freight (REART) etc

Prohibited Cargo

General and Service Cargo (Non - Reserve Cargo)

Diplomatic cargo and Diplomatic bag
Mail.
Restricted Cargo
Explosives and inflammable cargo
Radio Active cargo
Magnetic cargo
Perishable cargo
Livestock and animals etc

G. General Information

G 1. Specimen Load Message
G 2. Specimen .Trim. Sheet or Balance Computer
G 3. Detailed instructions on the completion of the load message and trim sheet

etc. for every flight
G 4. Instructions on the retention of flight load/trim calculations
G 5. Procedure for amendment of the Weight and Balance Manual
G 6. Instructions for advising flight crew members of load details

G 7. Instructions for the transmission .of load information to next aerodrome(s)

G 8. Procedures for obtaining relevant RTOW, RLW and fuel required for each
and every flight

G 9. Instructions on use of any Water Injection systems (if applicable)

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Chapter 10 - Specimen Load messages and
LOAD/TRIM SHEET or BALANCE CHART

10.1 General

With the very wide variations in the size, weight and capacity of modem civil transport
aeroplanes (with an approximate maximum load capacity variation from 500 lbs to 169,000 lbs),
the calculation for the weight and balance may be vary from the very simple, to the very
complieated calculation.

ICAO has yet to produce any recommended documentation or procedures for weight and

balance calculation. This is due not only to the variation of aeroplane types ete., but also to the
different requirements of individual Operators and their :respective States of Registry.

10.2 Practical methods of weight and balance calculations

Knowing the aeroplane's empty weight, and the load to be transported for each flight,

the actual laden :weight" and it associated CG position, may be calculated, and checked to be
within the permitted limits, by any of the following methods:

A Mathematically (using the formulae given in Chapter 8)

or

B. By use of a visual Load/Trim Sheet (figure 13)

or

C. By use of a centralized Electric Data Processing (EDP) Computer, (that is

programmed for weight and balance purposes), or an On Board Weighing System

(OBAWS) actually installed on the aeroplane.

The latter three methods (B, C, and D) ·are all based on the same mathematical

formulae (A), but are designed to speed up and ease the workload of the weight and balance
calculations.

The advantages and the disadvantages of these methods are:

1. The visual LOAD/TRIM SHEET provides a permanent visual record of all parts of

the total weight and balance calculations, and may be easily correct for any mistake,
and easily revised for any Last Minute Change.

2. The manual computer generally does not provide a permanent record, and generally

mistakes and last minute changes require a complete re process of the whole weight

and balance calculation.

3. The EDP computer (providing it is correctly programmed), and the OBAWS will
provide a permanent record by means of a print out sheet, and will al.so quickly

correct mistakes and revisions due any Last Minute Changes, ·

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Figure 12 - Specimen IATA Load Sheet and Load Message

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Figure 13 - Load/Trim Sheet

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10.3 · Load Message

A Load Message became a necessarily, due- to two operational requirements.

··A. The necessity to ensure that none of the Certificated Structural Weight
· · Limitations, of the aeroplane, are exceeded during any part of the loading.

-~

B~ The need to advise the Destination and possible subsequent aerodromes,
of the amounts and stowage positions of both terminal and transit loads
(passengers, cargo/freight), in order to facilitate transit procedures and
handling.

IA TA have produced a Standard Format for a Load Message (Figure 12),
which details all of the Structural Weight Limitations to be checked, and provides
detailed information concerning the respective stowage positions for onward
transmission to the next Destinationand up to six subsequent Destinations. By the
design of the form the relevant information is then transmitted to all Destinationsby
means of the normal point- to·point radio network.

NB The MTA Load Message itself does not provide any means of
calculating the CGposition. Such a calculation must be done by

·: .. ~·.- . . either a computer or other Documentetion. The L4TA Load Message
· is acceptable for use by any aeroplane type, and any Operator.
·

10.4 Load/Trim Sheet or Balance Chart

A Load./Trim Sheet (Figure 13) is really a combination of the IATA Load
Message and a method of obtaining the laden CG Position. It is used by many
Operators because it combines both calculations on a single sheet of paper. A
Load/Trim Sheet contains all the vital weight information for the IATA Load Message
plus either a tabular or graphical method for assessing the affect of any load in each
individual passenger compartment and/or cargo/freight hold, until the aeroplane is
correctly Trimmed within its permitted laden CG limits.

NB A load/Trim Sheet must only be used for a single aeroplane type
. and for only one single Operator.