CHAPTER 22 WEIGHT CONTROL OF AIRCRAFT

Transcription

1 May 2016 Page 1 of 8 CHAPTER 22 WEIGHT CONTROL OF AIRCRAFT 1. Introduction 1.1. The mass and centre of gravity of aircraft should be determined prior to the initial issuance of the Certificate of Airworthiness. Mass and balance control provides mathematical proof that the aircraft s mass and balance are within limits. Mass and balance information can be obtained from the aircraft specifications, aircraft operation limitations, aircraft flight manual and mass and balance report. The removal or addition of equipment affects the aircraft s empty mass and centre of gravity limits, and thus mass calculations are necessary to ensure the changes are within the aircraft s mass and balance limits. The CAR Series X part II lays down the frequency of weighment of an aircraft and preparation of weight schedule and also the requirement about display of weight schedule on board besides the manner of distribution and securing the load in the aircraft This Chapter lays down the procedure to be followed by the Airworthiness offices for the purpose of weighing of aircraft and approval of weight schedule. This Airworthiness procedure shall be read in conjunction will CAR Series X Part II. 2. Definitions: Empty Weight. The measured or computed weight of aircraft excluding all removable equipment and other items of disposable load, but including all items of fixed equipment which is mandatory for all operations. Weight Schedule. The document prepared in respect of an individual aircraft to provide basic weight and center of gravity information for loading that aircraft. Loading system. The system for ensuring that an aircraft is loaded within approved limits at all times during flight. Operating Weight. The empty weight of an aircraft plus those items of removable equipment and disposable load which remain constant for the type of operation being conducted. Removable Equipment. The items of equipment which are carried on some of the operations but which are not included in the empty weight and which are not mandatory for the type of operation being conducted.

2 May 2016 Page 2 of 8 3. Weighing Procedures: Initial Weighing :- a) All aircraft shall be weighed prior to the initial issue of a Certificate of Airworthiness. In case a new aircraft is imported from outside the country, weight schedules issued by the manufacturer or the previous operator weight schedule based on the manufacturer's certificated weight and balance documents would be acceptable b) All aircraft shall be weighed when, as a result of a modification or series of modifications incorporated since the last recorded weighing, the following changes have occurred in the empty weight or empty center of gravity position: i) The empty weight has changed by more than ½ percent of the maximum all up weight; or ii) The empty center of gravity position has changed by more than ½ per cent of the mean aerodynamic chord. c) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (b) above, if the Director General of Civil Aviation is satisfied that adequate weight control has been maintained over an aircraft throughout a modification or series of modifications of any magnitude, the aircraft need not be re-weighed. d) Aircraft shall be weighed when in the opinion of the Director General or his accredited representative weighing is necessary as a result of changes in empty weight or empty center of gravity position or for any other reason. e) Aircraft below 2000 Kg AUW need not be re weighed on routine except when it has undergone major repair/modification. f) Aircraft above 2000 Kg AUW shall be weighed every 5 years. g) Aircraft having AUW more than 2000 kg shall be re-weighed every five years unless it is required to be re-weighed in accordance with para 4.3 of CAR Sec 2 Series X Part-II. However operators may approach Regional Airworthiness Offices (through the Sub- Regional Airworthiness Offices wherever applicable) for an ad-hoc extension of the weighment period of an aircraft by a maximum of 3 months to tide over the operational exigencies. Such requests for extension may be agreed upon by Regional Airworthiness Office, if satisfied with the reasons advanced by the operator for his request. Extension of weighment beyond 3 months may be granted by Director of Airworthiness of the concerned region under intimation to Headquarters promptly.

3 May 2016 Page 3 of 8 4. General: 4.1 Weighing of aircraft shall be carried out by the person duly Authorised for the purpose. Aircraft Weighing procedures detailed in aircraft weight and balance manual / aircraft maintenance manual shall be followed. An approved person like Quality Manager or his representative shall be present and take the responsibility of weighing. Regional/ Subregional Airworthiness Office should be intimated at least seven days prior to the due date of weighing and may associate with the weighing process. 4.2 Aircraft shall be weighed on weighing equipment of range and accuracy as given by Manufacture. The owner or operator shall provide personnel and sufficient equipment to complete the weighing satisfactorily and shall be responsible for the safety of the aircraft and personnel during weighing 4.3 Two independent weighing shall be performed and the longitudinal datum line of the aircraft shall be horizontal in at least one of these weighing. 4.4 Any discrepancy between the total weights as determined by the two weighing shall be performed and the longitudinal datum line of the aircraft shall be horizontal in at least one of these weighing. 4.5 The difference between the total weights obtained during two consecutive weighing shall not exceed 0.2 per cent or 12 Kg, whichever is greater. If this tolerance is exceeded further weighing shall be performed until the total weights, as determined by two consecutive and independent weighings,fall within that tolerance. 4.6 An Aircraft Weighing Summary shall be completed and, the same to be forwarded along with weight schedule to the concerned Regional office for approval. 4.7 If there is any doubt regarding the accuracy of a weighing, the Regional office may require the aircraft to be re-weighed. 5. Persons authorized to weigh and prepare weight schedule (i) A person specifically authorised by DGCA for the purpose in any organization. OR (ii) A person specifically authorised by Quality Manager in an organization approved under CAR 145 provided procedure for grant of such approval is documented in Maintenance Organization Exposition.

4 May 2016 Page 4 of 8 6. Preparation and approval of loading data 6.1 After an aircraft has been weighed, the empty weight and corresponding position of the center of gravity shall be calculated by the operator. 6.2 The operator shall prepare a loading system for each aircraft unless it can be shown that the aircraft cannot possibly be loaded so that its center of gravity falls outside the approved range, observing all limitations on compartment loads. 6.3 Two copies of calculations, loading system and weight schedule shall be submitted by the operator to the Regional Airworthiness Office for approval. 6.4 The approved weight schedule shall be displayed in or at permanent place in the cabin/cockpit of aircraft. 7. Form of weight schedule After the aircraft has been weighed as required, Weight Schedule to be prepared which will contain at least the following information:- (i) Type of Aircraft; (ii) Registration Marking and Serial No. of aircraft; (iii) Empty weight including weight of unusable quantity of fuel and oil (Kg); (iv) Item wise Weight and details of removable equipment (Kg) including wireless equipment; (v) Maximum fuel capacity (Usable) in liters and Kg; (vi) Maximum oil capacity (Usable) in liters and Kg; (vii) Maximum commercial weight with fuel and oil tanks full; (viii) MTOW (as per Certificate of Airworthiness/ Flight Manual) in kg; (ix) Empty weight Centre of Gravity; (x) Centre of Gravity Range and datum; (xi) Maximum number of passengers; (xii) Signature of appropriately licensed AME/ Approved person; (xiii) Date of weighing A sample format of the Weight Schedule is enclosed as Appendix-I.

5 May 2016 Page 5 of 8 8. Approval by Airworthiness office The weight schedule after being prepared and duly signed shall be submitted to Regional Airworthiness Office who would approve the same by affixing signature and stamp after satisfying himself of the procedure followed and correctness of the figures of the weight schedule. 9. Display in the aircraft and preservation of record A copy of the approved weight schedule must be displayed in the aircraft at a suitable and prominent place. All persons concerned directly with the loading of the aircraft shall be duly informed of the various weight figures for exercising proper weight and balance control of the aircraft. A copy of the weight schedule must be retained along with other documents of the aircraft or in the aircraft logbook, till it is replaced by a fresh schedule. 10. Calibration of weighing scales 10.1 The weighing scales used for the purpose of weighing of passenger baggage, goods etc. shall be calibrated at specified intervals to the satisfaction of the QM/ DGCA. The QM is required to bring this requirement to the notice of the concerned persons for compliance The weighing scales used for the purpose of weighing the aircraft shall be calibrated at specified intervals to the satisfaction of DGCA. This requirement may be reflected in the MOE. 11. Record Keeping The DAW (Region) and DAW (Hqrs) will establish a system to maintain records of all documents generated and received. It may be ensured that all related records are maintained in chronological manner and all the pages are appropriately numbered. Traceability of all records should be ensured for future reference.

6 May 2016 Page 6 of 8 WEIGHT SCHEDULE A/C TYPE : A/C REGN: A/C MSN : A AIRCRAFT EMPTY WEIGHT The above weight includes:- ( Alternately the weighing configuration document reference may be provided) a) Electronic compartment: Battery & radar (...kg) + Electronic equipment (Specify identification / Zone)( kg) + Flight recorders & RA transceivers (.kg) =.. kg b) Flight deck : Emergency equipment ( kg) + Seats ( kg) = kg c) Cabin : Attendant seats (..kg) + Passenger seats (.kg) + Passenger life vests ( kg) + Partitions & carpets ( kg) + Galley structure and fixed equipment ( kg) + Emergency equipment ( kg) + Ancillary part like literature pocket ( kg) =... kg d) Additional Items: Unusable fuel (..kg) + Oil for Engines, IDG, and MGB / APU at normal level (.kg ) + Waste tank pre-charge ( kg) + Cargo nets ( kg) =. kg APPENDIX-I kg B WEIGHT OF REMOVABLE EQUIPMENT (Includes following items) (items that are required to conduct any flight / mandatory equipment need not be included. Aircraft items that may be removed for certain type of operation may be specified. ) 1 Aircraft documents & toolkit.. kg 2 Potable Water.. kg 3 Catering removable equipment...kg 4 Catering Allowance... kg C Weight of wireless equipment that are not included in the empty weight at A... kg D SUMMARY OF WEIGHT AND C.G 1 Maximum All Up Weight / Maximum take off weight ( MTOW) ( Refer to..)...kg 2 Weight of Crew members + Baggage (85 Kg per crew) (. Crew + Cabin attendants).. kg 3 Maximum Usable Fuel Quantity (. Ltrs) (Sp. Gravity = kg/l) kg 4 Maximum Pay Load with fuel tanks full [D1-(A+B+C+D2+D3)] kg 5 Maximum Zero Fuel Weight (MZFW).. kg 6 Maximum Aircraft Landing Weight (MLW).. kg 7 Maximum Number of Passengers 8 Datum is located at. meters forward of.. 9 Empty Weight CG.. meters aft of datum.(c G =. % MAC) 10 C G range : FWD CG Limit for flight:..% MAC ; As per FM section AFT CG Limit for flight : % MAC ; As per FM section. 11 Aircraft was weighed on at.. Prepared by ( ) Name & Designation Approval No: Approved by ( ) Name & Designation

7 May 2016 Page 7 of 8 CHECKLIST FOR WEIGHT CONTROL OF AIRCRAFT Details of the Operator - Name of the Operator : Location : Name of the approved person : Name & Designation of the : DGCA Officer Date(s) of Inspection : Appendix-II S/N Aspects to be inspected SAT UNSAT Remarks Check for the availability of Weight and Balance Manual and for its latest Revision. 1.2 Check for availability of approved person for reviewing weight growth record. 1.3 Check for the person specifically approved by DGCA/ Quality Manager in an organization approved under CAR 145 for carrying out weighing. 1.4 Check for the range and accuracy of the weighing equipment Check for the procedure to ensure that adequate weight control has been maintained since last weighing. 2.2 Check that weight determination is being carried out in an enclosed hangar( to avoid the effect of wind). 2.3 Check for the fire fighting arrangement in the hangar such as availability of portable fire extinguisher etc near to aircraft Check that the weighing scales used are properly calibrated and used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

8 May 2016 Page 8 of Check whether the fuel/oil tanks have been emptied and the provision to account for non usable quantity of fuel and oil exist. 3.3 Check whether there is proper procedure of for the safety of the aircraft and personnel during weighing. 3.4 Check whether the Flight Manual is placed in the aircraft. 3.5 Check whether the aircraft has been properly leveled. 4. Check the difference between the total weights obtained during two consecutive weighing shall not exceed 0.2 per cent or 12 Kg, whichever is greater. (If this tolerance is exceeded further weighing shall be performed until the total weights, as determined by two consecutive and independent weighings,fall within that tolerance).