How to weigh a WideBody Aircraft: Preparations, Process, and Best Practices

Weighing an aircraft is a critical step in ensuring safety, compliance, and accuracy of the Weight and Balance (W&B) report. While weighing a regional jet or narrowbody can already be a logistical task, preparing and weighing a widebody aircraft requires extra planning, specialized equipment, and a trained team.

At CH-Aero, we perform hundreds of on-site aircraft weighings each year. In this article, we’ll walk you through the key steps, requirements, and best practices for weighing widebody aircraft on-site.

1. The Right Location and Equipment

Widebody aircraft require significant hangar space to maneuver the aircraft onto the weighing platforms. At minimum, you’ll need:

• A spacious hangar with at least six meters of clearance to move the aircraft forward and backward.

• A tow truck with towbar operated by a certified ground handler. Scoop towbars are not used for this process.

• Certified weighing scales capable of handling the weight per wheel of widebody aircraft.

CH-Aero performing a widebody aircraft weighing for ASL Airlines inside a closed hangar. Certified on-site weighing services, fully compliant with EASA and FAA standards.

2. Licensed Engineers and Personnel

Aircraft weighing is not just a technical procedure – it is a certified maintenance task. This means:

• A licensed engineer on the specific aircraft type must be present to sign off the work package or task card.

• In some cases, a second licensed engineer is required for duplicate inspection/sign-off, depending on company policy.

• A minimum of four mechanics is required during the weighing itself: one at each wingtip, one at the tail, and one in the cockpit to operate the parking brakes.

3. Preparations for Widebody Aircraft Weighing

Thorough preparation is essential to ensure the accuracy of the weighing. The following steps are typically required:

• Cabin & Cabin Storage: Remove all galley equipment (trolleys, carts), seat pocket literature (except Safety On Board cards), blankets, pillows, and magazines. Ensure all overhead bins and cabinets are empty and clean.

• Lavatories: Remove tissues, accessories, and spare supplies.

• Cargo Holds: Clean and empty, leaving only cargo nets.

• Fluids:

  • Drain potable water tanks.

  • Drain waste tanks.

  • Defuel the aircraft using a certified de-fuel/refuel truck in accordance with the Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM).

  • Drain residual fuel through sump/water drains into certified IBC containers. This step can take several hours and requires proper tooling.

• Servicing:

  • Set landing gear struts and tires to normal service condition.

  • Service engine, APU, IDG oil, and hydraulic oil to normal operating levels.

4. The Weighing Procedure

Once preparations are complete:

• The aircraft is carefully positioned on the weighing platforms.

• The towbar is disconnected.

• Mechanics remain on lookout positions for safety.

• CH-Aero’s weighing engineers perform the weighing, capture the data, and calculate the Weight and Balance report.

• The report is then handed over to the licensed engineer for inclusion in the work package or task cards.

Widebody aircraft main landing gear being correctly positioned on certified weighing scales inside a hangar. This step is essential in the aircraft weighings process to ensure an accurate weight and balance report

5. Site Access and Logistics

If weighing is performed at an airport facility, keep in mind:

• Temporary access badges may be required for personnel. Application times vary by airport authority, so requests should be submitted well in advance.

• Coordination with the airport operator ensures the weighing slot runs smoothly without delays.

Why Proper Aircraft Weighing Matters

Accurate aircraft weighing is critical for:

• Compliance with aviation authority regulations.

• Ensuring safe take-off, landing, and in-flight performance.

• Maintaining reliable data for fuel efficiency and CO₂ emission calculations.

• Verifying modifications, repairs, or conversions have not impacted the aircraft’s center of gravity or mass balance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is aircraft weighing necessary? Aircraft weighing ensures that the weight and center of gravity data used in operations are accurate. This is essential for safe and compliant flight operations.

How often should widebody aircraft be weighed? Regulations differ per aviation authority, but aircraft typically need to be reweighed at set intervals (e.g., every 4 years) or after major modifications, repairs, or conversions.

What equipment is required to weigh an aircraft? You’ll need certified and calibrated aircraft weighing scales, a tow truck with towbar, IBC containers for residual fuel, and a defuel/refuel truck, among other servicing tools.

Can aircraft be weighed outside a hangar? No. Aircraft should be weighed inside a closed hangar to prevent wind-induced lift and fluctuating scale readings. Outdoor weighing is only a last-resort exception and requires near-zero wind, a perfectly level site, and multiple stabilized readings — not recommended for widebody aircraft. Always follow the AMM and approved maintenance data.

Conclusion

Weighing a (wide body) aircraft is a vital task that requires proper preparation certified and calibrated equipment and experienced personnel. From emptying the aircraft and draining fluids to coordinating engineers and mechanics, every detail counts toward producing an accurate Weight and Balance report.

At CH-Aero, we specialize in on-site aircraft weighing services worldwide – from narrowbody jets to the largest widebody aircraft. With our certified engineers, equipment, and experience, we ensure your aircraft weighing is safe, compliant, and efficient.

👉 Interested in learning more? Contact CH-Aero today to discuss our on-site aircraft weighing solutions.