Weighing an aircraft is a crucial process that ensures its safety, efficiency, and compliance with regulatory standards. It involves a series of meticulous steps and precision measurements to determine the accurate weight of the aircraft.
In this blog, we will delve into the intricacies of aircraft weighing and help you with some tips and tricks to ensure a smooth weighing operation. If you rather have CH-Aero conduct your weighings, you know where to find us...We are more than happy to help. Ok let's start weighing:
Aircraft Weighing Procedure
Step 1. De-fueling the aircraft
1.1. Ensure the aircraft is positioned as specified in the Weight & Balance Manual (WBM): - For B737M: 0.18 degrees nose up and zero degrees roll.
1.2. Manually drain the remaining fuel through sump drain valves if necessary.
Step 2. Cleaning the Aircraft
2.1. Ensure the aircraft is clean and dry.
2.2. If the aircraft is wet, remove as much water as possible before pulling it into the hangar.
2.3. Cycle the leading edge (LE) and trailing edge (TE) flaps to drain water.
2.4. Move the stabilizer to drain any accumulated water.
2.5. Reset the flaps and stabilizer to the positions specified in the manual.
Step 3. Deep Cleaning the Cabin and Freight Holds
3.1. Inspect and clean the freight holds, removing any garbage.
3.2. Check for and remove any fly-away kits, spare tires, or weapon boxes not included in the empty weight.
3.3. Include the freight holds in the preparation checklist to ensure they are checked.
Step 4. Standard Configuration
4.1. Verify the standard configuration as specified by the operator:
- Check for life rafts and potable water tanks, and whether they are included in the empty weight.
4.2. If no specification is available:
- Document the exact configuration of the aircraft.
- Ask the CH-Aero engineer for a standard checklist.
- Take pictures of the galleys, cabin, and freight holds for the weighing report.
Step 5. Equipment Check
5.1. Ensure all equipment meets the specifications as per Appendix 1 to EU-Ops 1.60.
5.2. Use the AW5-2 series scales or similar high-precision scales.
5.3. Avoid scales with large increments (e.g., 5-10 kg) to minimize fault margins.
5.4. Ensure all scales are charged to avoid power issues during weighing.
Step 6. Positioning of the Scales
6.1. Check for enough clearance forward and aft of the aircraft to push or pull it onto the scales.
6.2. Measure the distance from the main wheel to the center of the scale.
6.3. Ensure the nose scale is positioned correctly to center the nose wheel:
- For tandem gears, measure from the main wheel to the center of the second scale and place the nose scale accordingly.
6.4. Place the scales on a flat, stable surface, avoiding water drains or floor covers.
Step 7. Placing the Aircraft on the Scales
7.1. Use a sufficiently powerful tow truck to pull or push the aircraft onto the ramps.
7.2. Ensure no one is close to the truck to avoid accidents.
7.3. Assign wing walkers and a tail walker.
7.4. Have one person instruct the tow truck driver, ensuring clear visibility of the wing/tail walkers and platforms.
7.5. Position the aircraft gently without slamming on the brakes.
7.6. Once positioned, the weights engineer checks all scales to ensure the wheels are centered.
7.7. The brake man sets the parking brakes, and chocks are placed as double safety before and behind the scales.
7.8. Disconnect the towbar.
7.9. If the aircraft rolls off the scales, do not attempt to stop it with chocks; the hangar doors will stop it.
Side Notes
- Ensure all steps are followed meticulously to ensure safety and accuracy.
- Always have a backup plan for unexpected situations, such as power failure or mechanical issues with the tow truck.
Enjoy a safe and fast weighing!
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