Weight And Balance Data - Piper Cherokee Arrow II Pilots Operating Manual

ARROW
WEIGHT AND BALANCE
In order to achieve the performance and flying characteristics which are designed into the
aircraft, the Arrow must be flown with the weight and center of gravity (C.G.) position within the
approved envelope. The aircraft offers flexibility of loading. However, you cannot fill the aircraft,
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with four adults, full fuel tanks and maximum baggage. With the flexibility comes responsibility.
The pilot must insure 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 when it is properly loaded. 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 try 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 aircraft, however, will perform as intended. Before the aircraft is licensed,
the Arrow is weighed and a licensed empty weight and C.G. location computed. Using the licensed
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 licensed empty weight and C.G. location for a particular airplane are recorded in the
weight and balance section of the Airplane Flight Manual. The current values should always be
used. Whenever new equipment is added or any modification work is done, the mechanic respon-
sible 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. 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 improper loading.
The following pages are forms used in weighing an airplane in production and in computing
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empty weight, C.G. position, and useful load. Note that the useful load includes fuel, oil, baggage,
cargo and passengers. Following this is the method for computing takeoff weight and C.G.
ISSUED: MAY 14,1973
REVISED: FEBRUARY 29,1984
REPORT: VB-549 PAGE 5-1
M0DEL:PA-28R-200