Using aircraft weight and balance equipment to stay on top of the aircraft fluctuations will help keep your bird safe and flyworthy. Aircraft weight equipment can show you how the weight of an aircraft can change daily. Factors that may tip the aircraft weight scales can include trapped moisture, dust, dirt, modifications to the plane as well as varied repair schemes.

Aircraft balance equipment can tell you about the position of the center of gravity on your aircraft, which is directly related to the weight distribution of your craft. Periodic weighing is necessary to calculate all of these factors.

To find the right aircraft weight and balance equipment for you:

1. Find out what brand name of aircraft weight and balance equipment your manufacturer recommends.

2. Seek out the recommendation of your colleagues.

3. Determine what guarantee your provider offers with their product or service.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use aircraft balance equipment and software

Take advantage of the latest in aircraft balance equipment to suit your aircraft's needs. Purchasing or using free aircraft weight and balance software can also be beneficial.

I recommend: Check out Hofmann, a world leader in the design and manufacture of industrial balancing machines and equipment. Their products are specialized for aerospace and industrial power applications, and they can offer the following products and services: horizontal and vertical balancing machines, balance tooling packages, high-speed balancing systems, manual and semi-automatic correction systems, moment scales and blade distribution software as well as training in balancing theory and applications engineering. Johnston Aircraft Service offers weight and balance services. Try the weight and balance software demo eFlite. Their software offers weight and balance calculators and passenger load manifests that offer you a specialized flight planning software solution that you can customize to your flight operation. You can also use the calculating service of Skybound Software. They offer a visual aircraft weight and balance calculator.

Find the best in aircraft weight scales

Purchase aircraft weight scales or take advantage of aircraft weight and balance programs for your plane or helicopter.

I recommend: Take a look at the aircraft scales and weighing systems from General Electrodynamics Corporation. They also offer on-site aircraft weighing. Find aircraft scales, large jet scales, airline passenger and baggage scales from Aircraftscales.com to fit all of your airline weighing needs. Consider the aircraft scales, helicopter scales and aircraft weighing equipment from Jackson Aircraft Weighing Service. Check out the Intercomp ACII Aircraft Weighing System from Central Carolina Scale.

Use aircraft weight and balance equipment supplemental resources

There are a number of additional resources besides your aircraft weight and balance equipment. Take advantage of aircraft weight and balance calculations websites and handbooks.

I recommend: Download the Aircraft Weight and Balance Handbook from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Look at aircraft weight estimation calculation from Stanford University. Find even more information on determining aircraft weight from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Look into accreditation of the aircraft weight and balance equipment service provider of your choice. Make sure that they are a reputable aircraft weight and balance system product or service provider before you begin to conduct business with them.