How To Calculate Weight And Balance
- Josh Rogne
- Nov 18, 2022
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 25, 2022
For a Robinson R44
Weight and balance terms
Reference datum:
A vertical plane in which horizontal distances are measured.
Station:
Location along the helicopter fuselage, the location of a station is measured in inches from longitudinal reference datum.
Arm:
Distance from the reference datum to the center of gravity of an item (station).
Moment / weight = Arm
Moment:
The weight of an item multiplied by the arm.
Weight x Arm = Moment
Center of gravity (CG):
The location on the fuselage where the helicopter would balance. You can calculate CG of the helicopter by dividing the total weight by the total moment.
Standard empty weight:
Weight of a standard helicopter including unusable fuel, full operating fluids, and full engine oil.
Basic empty weight:
Standard empty weight plus weight of installed optional equipment.
Weight and balance calculation tutorial
First, go to the aircraft and get the current weight and balance date, this will be in the POH that is in each aircraft. Enter the basic empty weight, longitudinal arm, lateral arm, longitudinal moment, and lateral moment into the W&B sheet. If the longitudinal or lateral moment isn't provided, you can always multiply the weight and arm to find the moment. The longitudinal and lateral arms that are bolded, come directly from the POH in the weight and balance section.
Want to read more?
Subscribe to therotorpub.wixsite.com to keep reading this exclusive post.
