Piper SENECA III - SECTION 6 WEIGHT AND BALANCE; 6.1 GENERAL

PIPER
AIRCRAFT
CORPORATION
SECTION
6
PA-34-220T,
SENECA
III
WEIGHT AND BALANCE
SECTION
6
WEIGHT
AND
BALANCE
6.1
GENERAL
In
order
to
achieve
the
performance
and
flying
characteristics
which
are
designed
into
the
airplane,
it
must
be
flown
with
the
weight
and
center
of
gravity
(C.G.)
position
within
the
approved
operating
range
(envelope).
Although
the
airplane
offers
flexibility
of
loading it
cannot
be
flown
with
the
maximum
number
of
adult
passengers,
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
a
takeoff.
Misloading
carries
consequences
for
any
aircraft. An
overloaded
air-
plane
will
not
take
off, climb
or
cruise
as
well
as
a
properly
loaded
one.
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
tend
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
airplane,
however,
will
perform
as
intended.
Before
the
airplane
is
licensed,
it is weighed, and
a
basic
empty
weight
and
C.G.
location is
computed
(basic
empty
weight consists
of the
standard
empty
weight
of
the
airplane
plus the
optional equipment).
Using
the
basic
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
deterrnining
whether
they
are
within the
approved
envelope.
ISSUEDi
JANUARY 8,
1981.
REPORT:
VB-1110
REVISED:
AUGUST
9,
1982
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