CHAPTER 7 - CONTROL OF LOADING: LARGE AIRCRAFT The principles of weight and balance which have been discussed in previous chapters apply to large aircraft used by the air carriers and commercial operators as well as to small aircraft used by general aviation pilots and operators. The general concept of weights, arms, and moments apply regardless of aircraft size. The location of the c.g. can always be found by dividing total moments by total weight.
Large aircraft have the same dangerous flight characteristics as small aircraft when weight and balance limits are exceeded. It is not safe to assume that a large aircraft, because of its apparent abundance of engine power and spacious passenger and cargo compartments, cannot be loaded in an adverse manner. Any aircraft can be overloaded or loaded out of balance if weight and balance control procedures are not followed.
Aircraft which have a large number of passenger seats potentially possess great flexibility of loading configurations. From a utilization standpoint, such flexibility is desirable; but unless due consideration is given to weight and balance control, such an aircraft may easily be loaded in a nose-heavy or tail-heavy condition.
Large aircraft, particularly those operated by air carriers, are flown and maintained by a large number of people. No one pilot or mechanic may be fully and personally familiar with the loading or weight and balance condition of a particular aircraft. A properly documented weight and balance control system which is understood by flight, maintenance, and dispatch personnel is necessary for safe and orderly flight operations.
Weight control has a direct relationship to the profit or loss made by air carrier and commercial operator aircraft. When extra fuel is required for long trips or to allow for delays, the payload (passengers, baggage, cargo) must be proportionately reduced to prevent exceeding maximum weight limits. When trips are short and the payload is high, there are frequent changes of passenger and cargo load. Under these conditions, a quick, accurate method must be available to keep account of the aircraft weight and balance condition.
Then redid the seat selection to find that only 4B/C were still open. Had expert flyer going on the iphone at the same time checked the seat map to find only 4F was showing as taken (my seat) and the others were blocked.
