Mass and Balance

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Article Information
Category:	General
Content source:	SKYbrary
Content control:	EUROCONTROL

The mass of an aircraft and the location of its centre of gravity is vital information required before commencement of any flight.

The Aeroplane Flight Manual (AFM) contains critical mass and balance data, for example:

• Maximum empty mass;

• Maximum fuel load and effect on centre of gravity of fuel in different tanks;

• Maximum freight or passenger load in any compartment and effect on centre of gravity;

• Maximum mass permitted for take-off and landing;

• Critical positions (forward and aft) of centre of gravity for take-off, in flight and for landing.

Knowing the actual aircraft empty weight and position of its centre of gravity, the passenger and freight load and the planned fuel load, the maximum weight of the aircraft and location of is centre of gravity can be calculated for any point in flight.

The calculated or actual take-off mass must not exceed:

• the AFM maximum permitted take-off mass; or,

• the maximum take-off mass determined in aircraft performance calculations.

The calculated or actual landing mass must not exceed:

• the AFM maximum permitted lnding mass; or,

• the maximum landing mass determined in aircraft performance calculations for the destination and for any alternate aerodromes.

The aircraft centre of gravity must at all times remain within the limits specified in the AFM for the relevant stage of flight.

Related Articles

• CL60, Teterboro USA, 2005 (GND HF RE FIRE): On 2 February 2005, a Challenger, belonging to Platinum Jet Management, crashed after taking off from Teterboro, New jersey, USA. The aircraft's center of gravity was well forward of the forward takeoff limit.

Further Reading

ICAO Annex 8: Airworthiness of Aircraft.

US FAA Aircraft Weight and Balance