How often to weight an aircraft?

Question

How often to weight an aircraft?

Answer 1

In the UK, light aircraft are re-weighed every 10 years. However, aircraft in the microlight category are weighed every 5 years.

edit:- ok, barring total respray paint jobs.

Answer 2

Most aircraft are weighed after a major "deeper level maintenance" servicing.

The weight of the aircraft equipped to fly without fuel or crew is then known as the "basic weight"

Once you add fuel crew, crew bags and any other in-flight requirements you then come up with the "operating weight"

Add passengers, cargo and add it to all the above and you have "take-off weight"

An aircraft manufacturer from the factory restricts a particular airframe with a "maximum all up take off weight". This being the aircraft cannot exceed this weight due to structural limitations.

All of the weights and terminology listed above come into play with the aircraft weigh and balance.

Oops sorry for dribbling my current career field sees me using these calculations daily, that said, aircraft are weighed after major servicing or if any major modifications are made.

Hope I have helped

Cheers

Answer 3

when aircraft are built they are a certain weight they have to calculate the weight for take-off when all the fuel.passengers,catering and luggage is on board each aircraft that are bulit are differant weights.............??

Answer 4

Depends on any major modification or alteration where the aircraft weight has changed in the course of that modification/alteration.

Let us say the aircraft added an extra center tank in the aft cargo to make it from short to medium range to medium range-long range this adding of additional center tank added weight and aircraft must be reweigh and balance to get its center of gravity now.

Answer 5

Back when I use to work at a regional part 121 airline, the only time I know the aircraft weight was redone was when it had a new paint and new interior put in.

When physical items changed in the aircraft we would use their weight and position to determine new CG and BOW, but would not weigh the aircraft again.

That was just one example I am aware of.  I am sure there are many, many more.

Hope this helps

Answer 6

Its very rare once in service, maybe if it has had some major modifications it may be required.

Answer 7

Big airlines establish their own requirements with the FAA, but charter airplanes (multi engine) must be weighed every 3 years:

FAR 135.185   Empty weight and center of gravity: Currency requirement.



(a) No person may operate a multiengine aircraft unless the current empty weight and center of gravity are calculated from values established by actual weighing of the aircraft within the preceding 36 calendar months.

(b) Paragraph (a) of this section does not apply to—

(1) Aircraft issued an original airworthiness certificate within the preceding 36 calendar months; and

(2) Aircraft operated under a weight and balance system approved in the operations specifications of the certificate holder.

Private operators have no such weighing requirement.

Answer 8

Unladen weight is known, only modifications will change.  Pay load is pre calculated or should be.

Would help if  they took all the booze and duty free off. never understand why they allow duty free on instead of collecting at arrival airport. Would save a lot of hassle

Answer 9

mine(pa28-180) was reweighed after a new paint job.