Technical Preparation of the Flight

Chapter 2.2

Mass and Balance Calculations

The pilot should calculate the actual mass and the position of the centre of gravity.

Information necessary for the calculations:

☞ Empty mass of the airplane, found in the AFM

☞ The mass of the payload and fuel

Mass and Balance Calculations

The result of these calculations has a decisive influence on the conduct of the flight. The following questions will be answered based on these calculations:

- How many passengers and payload can be transported?

- How should passenger and payloads be distributed?

- Should a trimming mass be used?

- How much fuel can I take, how should I distribute it?

- Can I take on additional mass?

. ☞ As passenger / cargo?

. ☞ As Fuel?

PERFORMANCE

Flight performance should be calculated before the beginning of a flight based on actual conditions. We use as the basis for these calculations:

- the performance tables and graphs found in the AFM

- the results of the mass and balance calculations

- The given actual meterological conditions of the departure aerodrome, the route of flight, the arrival aerodrome and the alternate aerodrome

PERFORMANCE

The following questions can be answered based on the calculations:

- Can the airplane take off from the available runway?

- At what altitude and at what speed can the airplane fly?

- How much fuel will the airplane consume at the chosen altitude?

- Can the airplane land at the planned arrival aerodrome?

Waiver of the calculation of mass, centre of gravity and the flight performance data

Only if the aircraft is operated within known limits, for example in school operations close to the airfield, a current calculation of mass, centre of gravity and performance data may be waived.