Sample Problem - Piper SENECA III Pilot's Information Manual

SECTION 6
PIPER AIRCRAFT
CORPORATION
WEIGHT
AND BALANCE
PA-34-220T,
SENECA III
SAMPLE
PROBLEM
A
sample problem will demonstrate
the
use
of
the
weight and balance
plotter.
Assume
a
basic
weight
and C.G. location of 2850 pounds at 83.5 inches
respectively.
We
wish
to
carry a pilot and 5
passengers.
Two
men
weighing
180
and
200 pounds will occupy the front seats, two
women
weighing 115
and
135 pounds will occupy the middle seats and two children weighing 80
and 100 pounds will
ride in the rear. Two 25 pound suitcases
will be tied
down in the
front baggage
compartment
and two
suitcases weighing
25
pounds and 20 pounds
respectively,
will be carried in the
rear
compartment.
We
wish
to carry 60 gallons of fuel. Will we be within the safe envelope?
(a)
Place
a dot on
the
plotter grid at
2850 pounds and 83.5 inches to
represent
the
basic airplane. (See
illustration.)
(b)
Slide
the
slotted plastic into position so
that the dot is under the slot
for
the forward
seats, at
zero weight.
(c)
Draw
a
line
up
the slot
to the 380 pounds position
(180
+
200) and
put a
dot.
(d)
Move the slotted plastic again to
get
the zero end of the middle
seat
slot over
this
dot.
(e)
Draw
a line up this slot to the 250 pound position
(115
+
135)
and
place the 3rd dot.
(f)
Continue
moving the plastic and plotting points to account for
weight in
the
rear seats
(80 +
100), forward baggage compartment
(50),
rear baggage compartment (45),
and fuel
tanks
(360).
(g)
As can be seen
from the illustration,
the final dot shows the total
weight to be 4115 pounds with the C.G.
at
90.1.
This is well within
the envelope.
(h)
There will be room
for more fuel.
As fuel is burned off,
the
weight and C.G. will follow
down the fuel
line
and
stay
within the envelope for landing.
REPORT: VB-1110
ISSUED: JANUARY
8, 1981
6-16