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TABLE OF CONTENTS
LEVELING
FIGURES
Figure Page
Number Title Number
8-1 Leveling............................................................................................................... 6
8-2 Calculating as-weighed center of gravity (Example)........................................... 10
8-3 Weight and balance station diagram................................................................... 12
8-4 How to find the correct ballast weight ................................................................. 15
8-5 Weight empty vs center of gravity....................................................................... 16
8-6 Gross weight longitudinal center of gravity limits – Standard units..................... 18
8-7 Completing an actual weight record – Standard units (Example) ....................... 20
8-8 Completing an actual weight record – Metric units (Example)............................ 21
8-9 Ballast installation ............................................................................................... 22
8-10 Actual weight record — Standard unit ................................................................ 26
8-11 Actual weight record — Metric units ................................................................... 27
8-12 Actual weight record ........................................................................................... 35
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TABLES
Table Page
Number Title Number
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8-1. PURPOSE Useful Load - the maximum gross weight minus the
weight empty. The maximum gross weight includes the
This section gives the procedures that are necessary pilot, the passengers, the engine oil, fuel, baggage,
to find the actual weight empty and the center of and cargo.
gravity (CG) of a helicopter configuration, and to find
what changes, if any, are necessary to keep the Center of Gravity (CG) - the point about which all of
helicopter within the gross weight flight limits during the moments in all of the axes are exactly equal in
operation. magnitude. For balance purposes, think of the weight
of an item as being concentrated at the CG of the item.
8-2. GENERAL
Weight Empty CG - The center of gravity of the
The CG is the balance point of a body and it is used helicopter in it's weight empty condition.
when you calculate the weight and balance for the
helicopter. If we compare a helicopter with a
pendulum, the suspension point is where the main NOTE
rotor hub intersects the mast and the pendulum weight
is the helicopter. The pendulum weight will stop with its When the gross weight flight limits taper,
CG directly below the suspension point. For example: increasing weight empty can cause a
a helicopter will fly with its nose up if the CG is aft of previous payload configuration that had
the hub/mast intersection. To fly the helicopter in a been inside limits to have a center of gravity
level manner, the pilot must move the cyclic control outside limits.
stick forward. The more the pilot moves the cyclic
control stick forward, the less power there will be for Most Forward Gross Weight - the sum of the empty
forward speed and the control over the helicopter is weight, the maximum crew weight, the engine oil, and
decreased. Because this loss of control is unsafe, it is all of the useful load items which result in the most
important to keep the helicopter CG within the given forward CG.
gross weight flight limits. This is done in two ways:
Most Aft Gross Weight - the sum of the empty
1. By changing the location of the helicopter weight weight, the minimum crew weight, the engine oil, and
empty CG through equipment relocation or by adding all of the useful load items which result in the most aft
or removing ballast, and CG.
2. By deriving the combinations of useful load items Weight Empty CG Limits - a range of weight empty
which are permitted for each flight. CG based on the standard fuel and passenger loading.
A helicopter that is ballasted within this range will not
8-3. TERMINOLOGY go outside the gross weight flight limits with standard
loading.
If it is necessary to apply weight and balance control,
use the terms that follow: Gross Weight Flight Limits - the center of gravity
range plotted against gross weight within which the
Weight Empty - the value you get when you add up helicopter meets the requirements of the Federal
the weight of the airframe, the power plant, the Aviation Regulations under which it is certified.
required equipment, serviceable and special
equipment, the fixed ballast, hydraulic fluid, Datum - the intersection of the vertical, lateral, and the
transmission and gearbox oil, fuel that is not usable, horizontal planes from which all measurements are
and engine oil that is not drainable. taken for balance purposes. The distance to the CG of
an item is measured from the datum in terms of
Maximum Gross Weight - the maximum approved Fuselage Station (FS), Buttline (BL) and Waterline
take-off weight of the helicopter plus its contents. (WL) (Figure 8-6).
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Arm - the distance from the datum to the CG of an Minimum Fuel - for weight and balance purposes, this
item. The longitudinal arm is the fuselage station, the is the same as unusable fuel.
lateral arm is the buttline, and the vertical arm is the
waterline. The algebraic sign convention is plus (+) for
Undrainable Fuel/Oil - the fuel and oil remaining in
an object that is aft of the datum, above the datum,
their respective system after the draining procedures
and to the right of the datum (when looking forward).
are completed.
The minus sign (-) is used when parts are forward of
the datum, below the datum and to the left of the
datum when looking forward. Tare Weight - for mechanical scales, the weight of
chocks, blocks, stands, etc. that are used during
Moment - the result when you multiply the weight of weighing. This weight is included in the scale
an item and the arm of the item. readings. For electronic scales, consult the scale
manufacturer's data.
Unusable Fuel - whichever is the greater: the amount
of fuel remaining in the system when, in the worst As-Weighed Weight - the weight of the helicopter
attitude in which flight is maintained, the fuel pump configuration on the scales. This should be as close to
cavitates, or when the fuel gage reads zero. weight empty as possible.
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LEVELING
8-4. LEVELING WITH THE USE OF A 6. Adjust all three jacks (3) evenly until the
PLUMB BOB helicopter is level. The helicopter is level when the
point of the plumb bob (6) is directly over the
intersection of the cross on the level plate (4).
A level plate (4, Figure 8-1) is located in the baggage
bay at fuselage station 170.10 and buttock line -8.40.
A slotted level plate (1) is located directly above the 8-4A. LEVELING WITH THE USE OF A
level plate on the underside of the engine pan. To level LEVEL
the helicopter, do the steps that follow:
This is an alternate procedure to weigh the helicopter
1. Remove the access panel in the baggage bay using a level.
roof.
1. Install a spirit level or a digital level nesting flat on
the inner surface of the cabin floor.
2. Hang a plumb bob (6, Detail A) from the small
hole in the slotted level plate (1). Hang it in such a
manner that the plumb bob is just above the level plate
(4) in the baggage bay.
CAUTION
3. Put the helicopter on a hard and level surface in 3. Put three jacks (3, Figure 8-1) under the
an enclosed hangar. helicopter at the permanent jack and tie down the
fittings. The two forward jack fittings (5) are located at
fuselage station 55.16 and the aft jack fitting (2) is
4. Put three jacks (3) under the helicopter at the located at fuselage station 204.92 (Chapter 7). If you
permanent jack and tie down the fittings. The two have not completed step 1 and step 2, do them now.
forward jack fittings (5) are located at fuselage station
55.16 and the aft jack fitting (2) is located at fuselage
station 204.92 (Chapter 7). If you have not completed 4. Adjust the aft jack (3) at the aft jack fitting (2) until
the previous step 1 and step 2, do them now. the helicopter is almost level.
5. Adjust the aft jack (3) at the aft jack fitting (2) until NOTE
the helicopter is almost level.
When you make the helicopter level for the
weight check, the landing gear skids must
be clear of the floor.
NOTE
When you make the helicopter level for the 5. Adjust all three jacks (3) evenly until the
weight check, the landing gear skids must helicopter is level. The helicopter is level when the
be clear of the floor. level is true both laterally and longitudinally.
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8-5. WEIGHING PROCEDURE 5. Make sure the engine oil system is either fully
drained or topped up to the full mark.
8-6. PREPARATION OF THE HELICOPTER
FOR WEIGHING
NOTE
Before you weigh the helicopter, make sure that the
The weight empty configuration is the
configuration is as near the weight empty as possible.
weight of the basic helicopter plus the
Do the steps that follow:
weight of the kits, special equipment, fixed
ballast, transmission and gearbox oil,
1. Remove, as much as possible, dirt, grease, hydraulic fluid, unusable fuel, and
moisture, and any equipment that is not required for undrainable oil.
weighing from the helicopter.
6. Drain the fuel system (Chapter 12).
2. Make sure that the baggage compartment is
empty.
8-7. WEIGHING
3. Put all of the kits and the required equipment for
weighing in their proper locations. 1. Do not weigh the helicopter outdoors or in an
open building because wind, flapping rotors, and body
4. Make sure that the transmission, gearbox, and sway may seriously affect the accuracy of the scale
hydraulic reservoirs are full (Chapter 12). readings.
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2. If you use electronic loadcells, make sure that the In some cases, tare weight can be negative after
loadcells and the adapters are tightened to the pads of removing weight from electronic scales. This example
the jacks that are used to raise the helicopter. Put the shows this situation.
load cells in position on the jacks. Do the warm-up
recommended by the scale manufacturer. Refer to the
8-8. CALCULATIONS
instructions supplied by the manufacturer and adjust
each load cell to zero.
8-9. CALCULATING AS-WEIGHED CENTER OF
GRAVITY
3. Make sure that each of the scale calibrations
have a zero reading before you do each weighing 1. The distance from Fuselage Station 0.00 to the
procedure. centers of the forward jack fittings (5, Figure 8-1) is
called the forward arm, A. (Figure 8-3). The distance
4. If you will weigh the helicopter on portable scales, from Fuselage Station 0.00 to the center of the aft jack
put the scales in position on level ground. Put a scale fitting (2, Figure 8-1) is called the aft arm, B (Figure 8-
under each jack point. Align the jackpoint on the center 3). The forward arm is 55.16 inches (1401 mm) long
of the scale. Use the jacks to make the helicopter level and the aft arm is 204.92 inches (5205 mm) long.
in the longitudinal and lateral directions (Paragraph 8-
4). 2. Multiply the sum of the net weights of the forward
scales by the forward arm. The result is called the
forward moment and the units are in inch-pounds
(millimeter-kilograms).
CAUTION
3. Multiply the net weight of the aft scale by the aft
MAKE SURE THAT THE LANDING GEAR arm. The result is called the aft moment and the units
SKIDS DO NOT TOUCH THE WEIGH are in inch-pounds (millimeter-kilograms).
SCALES OR THE FLOOR. IF THEY
TOUCH, THE SCALES WILL NOT BE 4. Add the forward and the aft moments. Divide this
BALANCED CORRECTLY. sum by the As-Weighed Weight. The result is the As-
weighed helicopter CG in inches (millimeters) aft of FS
5. Balance each scale and make a note of the 0.00. Refer to Figure 8-2
readings. If you are using electronic scales, find the
weight on each cell from the digital counter. Refer to 8-10. CALCULATING INITIAL WEIGHT EMPTY
the instructions given by the manufacturer. AND CENTER OF GRAVITY
6. Remove the helicopter from the jacks (Chapter 1. Before you find the ballast requirements, you
7). On each scale, weigh the weight tare. This includes must compute the initial weight empty from the As-
the applicable jack, blocks, and any other equipment weighed weight. Balance calculations are based on
that you had in position between the helicopter and the the Weight Empty condition. Start with the As-
scale. Subtract this weight tare from the first scale Weighted weight, the CG, the moment, and do the
reading to get the net weights. steps that follow:
7. If you use electronic scales, remove the a. Add the weight of all the Empty Weight items
helicopter from the jacks (Chapter 7). Make sure that that are not on the helicopter when it was weighed.
the load cells do not touch the jack points. Examine Some examples are:
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Table 8-3. Deriving initial weight empty and center of gravity (example)
(MM-KG/
(LBS) (KG) (INCHES) (MM) (IN-LBS)
100)
Remove:
Engine Oil -13.0 -5.9 205.0 5207 -2665 -307.2
Add:
Unusable 18.0 8.2 114.6 2911 2063 238.7
Fuel
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c. If the CG is aft of the limit and if the nose Ballast = (weight empty) (required CG — calculated CG)
ballast is already installed (or if the CG is forward of ballast CG — required CG
the limit and if the mid tailboom ballast is already
installed) calculate the additional ballast that will be
required.
NOTE
To avoid interference with the controls the
NOTE mid tailboom ballast must be applied as
When a helicopter has a unique loading shown in paragraph 8-17.
configuration that is not standard, such as
the crew or the passenger weights, the
3. To find the exact ballast, you may have to do
baggage compartment loading, or other
more than one calculation because the ballast weight
variations, use the gross weight flight limits
to calculate the ballast. is limited at each location. To find the correct ballast
weight, refer to Figure 8-4.
MAXIMUM
LONGITUDINAL CG LATERAL CG
BALLAST
Note 2: Maximum total tailboom ballast is 20 lbs (9 Kg). Maximum ballast stack height is 0.5 inches
(12.7 mm).
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Table 8-5. Deriving final weight empty from initial weight empty (example)
Add:
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Figure 8-6. Gross weight longitudinal center of gravity limits - Standard units (Sheet 1 of 2)
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Figure 8-6. Gross weight longitudinal center of gravity limits - Standard units (sheet 2)
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a. Include all items with a CG that is aft of the ballast is already installed, calculate the required addi-
flight limit. tional ballast.
b. If the forward CG is outside the flight limits and a. Change the empty weight configuration to
if the nose ballast is already installed, remove the move the empty weight CG closer to the flight limit
ballast. Calculate the most forward and the most aft until the required ballast is equal to or less than the
gross weight CGs again. Then calculate the required maximum that is permitted, or
ballast.
b. Adjust the useful load combination to
decrease the required ballast to the maximum that is
NOTE
permitted or less. Write down the useful load
Do not install ballast in both the nose and limitations on the Actual Weight Record (Figure 8-10
the mid tailboom locations at the same time. and Figure 8-11).
c. If the aft CG is outside the flight limits and if 3. Write down the ballast weight requirements on
the nose ballast is already installed, or if the forward the helicopter Actual Weight Record (Figure 8-10 and
CG is outside the flight limits and if the mid tailboom Figure 8-11). When the ballast is removed from the
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As-Weighed weight (Step a. or b.), it must show on the 5. As the empty weight is calculated (Paragraph 8-
Actual Weight Record. If part of the removed ballast is 10 and Paragraph 8-12), write down the lateral arms
added again, put the entries together to show the and moments on the Actual Weight Record.
weight removed from each location.
4. Install the required ballast (Paragraph 8-17). 6. Do not ballast for lateral CG, Refer to BHT-407-
FM. For the seating limitations to maintain the
helicopter within the lateral gross weight flight limits.
8-15. SAMPLE WEIGHING PROCEDURE
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(76.2 mm) from the top edge and 4.5 inches (114.3 pounds (9.1 Kg) The maximum stack height is 0.5 inch
mm) from the forward edge. (12.7 mm). Refer to the 407 IPB for the nominal
weights of the ballast. For weight adjustment, holes
that are no greater than 0.75 inch (19 mm) in diameter
may be drilled in the plates.
CAUTION
3. When you install the ballast weights, make sure
TO AVOID CONTROLS INTERFERENCE, that the plates are aligned as shown in Figure 8-9. The
LIMIT THE MAXIMUM STACK HEIGHT OF length of the bolts (6) and (9) is given by the total
THE BALLAST IN THE MID-TAILBOOM thickness of weights that are installed. Tighten the
LOCATION TO 0.5 INCH (12.7MM). bolts (6) and (9) to the standard torque.
c. In the mid-tailboom location, the not-to-exceed 8-18. MODEL 407 KIT WEIGHTS
weights are as follows: 12.0 pounds (5.4 Kg) at FS
303.4 (7706 mm), 12.0 pounds (5.4 Kg) at FS 313.4 Refer to Table 8-7 (Standard units) and Table 8-9
(7960 mm) with a total not-to-exceed weight of 20.0 (Metric units) for various Bell Helicopter kit weights.
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LONG LAT.
NOMENCLATURE WEIGHT LONG CG LAT. CG
MOMENTS MOMENT
KIT NUMBER CHANGE (INCHES) (INS)
(LB. INS.) (LB. INS.)
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LONG LAT.
NOMENCLATURE WEIGHT LONG CG LAT. CG
MOMENTS MOMENT
KIT NUMBER CHANGE (INCHES) (INS)
(LB. INS.) (LB. INS.)
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LONG LAT.
NOMENCLATURE WEIGHT LONG CG LAT. CG
MOMENTS MOMENT
KIT NUMBER CHANGE (INCHES) (INS)
(LB. INS.) (LB. INS.)
Table 8-8. Weight and balance calculation for Bell 407 with standard skid gear (Standard units) — Example
CENTER OF
WEIGHT LONGITUDINAL LATERAL
DESCRIPTION GRAVITY
(LBS) MOMENT MOMENT
(INCH)
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Table 8-10. Weight and balance calculation for Bell 407 with standard skid gear (Metric units) — Example
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