General - Piper Aircraft Corporation Cherokee Lance PA-32R-300 Handbook

PIPER AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
SECTION 6
PA-32R-300, CHEROKEE LANCE WEIGHT AND BALANCE
SECTION 6
WEIGHT AND BALANCE
6.1 GENERAL
In order to achieve the performance and
good flying
characteristics
which are
designed into the airplane,
it
must
be flown
with the weight and center of
gravity (C.G.) position within
the
approved operating range
(envelope).
A lthough the
airplane
offers flexibility in loading, it
cannot
be flown with the maximum
number
of adult passengers. full fuel tanks and maximum baggage. With the flexibility comes responsibility. The pilot
must ensure that the airplane is loaded within the loading envelope before he
makes
a takeoff.
Misloading carries consequences for
any aircraft. An overloaded
airplane
will not take off, climb or
cruise as well as a properly loaded
one.
The heavier the airplane is loaded,
the less
climb performance it will
have.
Center
of
gravity is
a
determining factor in flight characteristics. If the C.G.
is too far forward in
any
airplane, it
may be difficult
to rotate
for
takeoff or landing. If the C.G. is too
far aft, the airplane may
rotate
prematurely
on takeoff or tend to pitch
up
during climb. Longitudinal stability will be reduced. This can lead
to
inadvertent stalls and
even spins;
and spin recovery becomes more
difficult
as the center of gravity moves aft
of
the approved limit.
A properly loaded airplane,
however, will
perform
as
intended. Before the airplane is licensed, it
is
weighed,
and
a basic empty weight and C.G. location is computed
(basic
empty
weight consists
of
the standard
empty weight of the airplane plus the optional equipment). Using the basic
empty
weight and C.G. location,
the pilot can easily determine the weight and C.G. position for the loaded airplane by computing
the
total
weight and moment and then determining whether they are within the approved
envelope.
The basic empty weight and C.G. location are recorded in the Weight and Balance Data Form (Figure
6-5) and the Weight and Balance Record (Figure 6-7). The current values should always be used. Whenever
new equipment is added
or any
modification work is done, the mechanic responsible for the work is required
to compute a new basic
empty
weight and C.G. position and to write these in the Aircraft Log Book and the
Weight and Balance Record. The
owner
should make sure that it is done.
A weight and balance calculation is
necessary
in determining how much
fuel
or
baggage
can be boarded
so as to keep
within allowable limits. Check calculations prior to adding
fuel
to
insure
against overloading.
The
following
pages are
forms used in weighing an airplane in
production and in computing basic
empty
weight,
C.G. position,
and useful
load. Note that
the useful
load includes usable fuel, baggage, cargo and
passengers. Following this is the method for computing takeoff weight and C.G.
ISSUED: AUGUST 20, 1976
REPORT: VB-840
REVISED: JULY 2, 1984
6-1