marakii Posted April 19, 2020 Report Share Posted April 19, 2020 Hello fliers out there, anyone have a great way to calculate W & B on my new CTsw? is there an easy app as there are few out there or even a document no issue what it is . Thanks and be safe ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandpiper Posted April 20, 2020 Report Share Posted April 20, 2020 I have an app on my iPhone called "Aviation W&B Calculator". So far I am using the "basic" plan which works for me. It's $4.99/yr and allows 2 tail numbers and one device. The "Pro" version allows up to 10 tail numbers on two devices and is $9.99/yr. A "Pro +" plan is $14.99/yr and includes unlimited tail numbers, 3 devices. Something for everyone. I don't mind paying a little. Someone put an effort into it. I recall there was a free trial period so you can see if you like it. At one time I had a free app but it eventually disappeared. I also have a page on my Garmin Aera that is probably all I need but having it on the iPhone is handy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KentWien Posted April 20, 2020 Report Share Posted April 20, 2020 I’ve always used Foreflight to do the W&B. Works great. Kent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AGLyme Posted April 20, 2020 Report Share Posted April 20, 2020 The other day I was updating my Dynon system and discovered a W&B calculation "button".. I will have to review the parameters, etc... Has anyone used the Dynon W&B? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted April 20, 2020 Report Share Posted April 20, 2020 There's a W&B calculator built into Garmin pilot that's very good, that's how I do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrassStripFlyBoy Posted April 20, 2020 Report Share Posted April 20, 2020 Curious how many people run into balance issues with the CT's? As I've been running combinations of full fuel to low fuel, the CG remains very far forward in the envelope. I've not studied much for weight combinations in the baggage area, but suspect the far forward CG on my bird essentially works any scenario, and all that matters is staying within weight limitation. Is this also true with others (both SW's and LS's)? I've yet to see balance be a factor, and if it was, what actions are you taking? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Baker Posted April 20, 2020 Report Share Posted April 20, 2020 Most of the CT's when loaded withing limits of gross weight, baggage, and seat weight will remain in or very close to the CG envelope without any problems. I generally just calculated total weight, and made sure that there was not more than 110 pounds in the baggage compartment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted April 20, 2020 Report Share Posted April 20, 2020 45 minutes ago, Tom Baker said: Most of the CT's when loaded withing limits of gross weight, baggage, and seat weight will remain in or very close to the CG envelope without any problems. I generally just calculated total weight, and made sure that there was not more than 110 pounds in the baggage compartment. That's how I do it...I did the calcs in my airplane and any combination of weights will not get out of balance as long as I don't overload any station(s). It is possible to get out of balance with very light loading and a light pilot, but with the amount of junk I keep in the airplane and my 185lb weight, it's not a concern. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AGLyme Posted April 20, 2020 Report Share Posted April 20, 2020 I learned from FD an interesting fact about CG and our gas tanks. The tanks are longer and thinner than most GA tanks. Full or not, little effect on W&B. With that said I have been using the Tom (what he said above) method. the flying and trim characteristics have been surprisingly the same no matter what the weight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted April 21, 2020 Report Share Posted April 21, 2020 15 hours ago, AGLyme said: I learned from FD an interesting fact about CG and our gas tanks. The tanks are longer and thinner than most GA tanks. Full or not, little effect on W&B. With that said I have been using the Tom (what he said above) method. the flying and trim characteristics have been surprisingly the same no matter what the weight. Hmm...wouldn't the CG effect of the tanks be based on how close they are to the center of balance, and not how far out to the sides they extend? I suppose a narrower tank does put more fuel closer to the balance point if the tank is centered right on it though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Baker Posted April 21, 2020 Report Share Posted April 21, 2020 While all or at least most the fuel is ahead of CG, the fact that the tanks are long and narrow keeps the moment close to the CG. With the moment so close to the CG the change in balance is minimal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted April 21, 2020 Report Share Posted April 21, 2020 2 minutes ago, Tom Baker said: While all or at least most the fuel is ahead of CG, the fact that the tanks are long and narrow keeps the moment close to the CG. With the moment so close to the CG the change in balance is minimal. Makes sense, thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AGLyme Posted April 21, 2020 Report Share Posted April 21, 2020 4 hours ago, FlyingMonkey said: I suppose a narrower tank does put more fuel closer to the balance point Yup, there you go... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrassStripFlyBoy Posted April 21, 2020 Report Share Posted April 21, 2020 On 4/19/2020 at 7:38 PM, marakii said: Hello fliers out there, anyone have a great way to calculate W & B on my new CTsw? is there an easy app as there are few out there or even a document no issue what it is . Thanks and be safe ! On the original question, I'm using the Excel spreadsheet that previous people have posted. I think this came from Skunkworks, but have made some updates to it. If you don't have MS office, there is freeware called Open Office that allows to open & revise MS doc's. The tab for entering weight by station locations automatically plots the CG on the envelope, a nice spreadsheet to automate all the number crunching: I've also added a sheet for maintaining control around weight changes / equipment list revisions: Having an accurate weight & balance is where all this starts. I carry the original FD weight & balance sheet, plus a hard copy print out of both the above items. In the very unlikely chance I was ramp checked, I'd start by pulling these out and saying let's start with what my aircraft is, and nothing cold be questioned as missing or added from beyond the factory documentation. The next step would be to then demonstrate weight is compliant, as likely being the largest violation someone would be attempting to sniff out. If we get into the weeds of balance, there is calculator function one phone to run those numbers as needed. Also for what it's worth, if you're not working with a trail of equipment changes you know is correct, it's worth an audit. My CT had the GPS and AirGizmo mount in it but not included in the previous A&P's had constructed. One could say they are portable, but when panel mounted I'd say not. People often forget to remove weight when making changes, and only add the new item, don't short change yourself either way. W&B.xlsx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted April 21, 2020 Report Share Posted April 21, 2020 My understanding is ramp checks rarely require a full on-the-spot W&B calculation, unless maybe your airplane was severely and obviously overloaded. More likely they will confirm W&B information is onboard such as a factory W&B sheet or a print out of your spreadsheet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AGLyme Posted April 21, 2020 Report Share Posted April 21, 2020 That's a good point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
okent Posted April 21, 2020 Report Share Posted April 21, 2020 In my 2008 CTLS it's impossible to get out of CG as long total weight and each station is within limits. One of the many good things about the CT's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
207WF Posted May 17, 2020 Report Share Posted May 17, 2020 When loaded for a trip with no pax in my ctsw, if when I push down on the tail it doesn't want to come back up, it means the weight is too far aft. That's the only WB issue I have ever seen with it. WF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted May 19, 2020 Report Share Posted May 19, 2020 BTW Darrell, I did a double take on your airplane's serial number. Yours is 06-07-14...mine is 07-06-14. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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