Piper SENECA III - Sample Problem

SECTION 6
PIPER
AIRCRAFT
CORPORATION
WEIGHT
AND
BALANCE
PA-34-220T,
SENECA
III
SAMPLE
PROBLEM
A
sample
problem
will demonstrate
the
use
of
the
weight and balance
plotter.
Assume
a
basic
weight
and
C.G.
location of 2850
pounds
at
83.5
inches
respectively.
We
wish
to
carry a
pilot and
5
passengers.
Two
men
weighing
180
and
200
pounds
will
occupy
the
front
seats, two
women
weighing
115
and
135 pounds
will
occupy
the
middle
seats
and
two
children
weighing
80
and 100 pounds
will
ride
in
the
rear.
Two 25 pound
suitcases
will
be
tied
down
in the
front
baggage
compartment
and
two
suitcases
weighing
25
pounds and
20
pounds
respectively,
will
be
carried in
the
rear
compartment.
We
wish
to
carry
60
gallons
of fuel.
Will
we
be
within
the
safe
envelope?
(a)
Place
a
dot
on
the
plotter
grid
at
2850
pounds and 83.5
inches
to
represent
the
basic airplane. (See
illustration.)
(b)
Slide
the
slotted
plastic into
position
so
that the
dot is under
the
slot
for
the
forward
seats,
at
zero
weight.
(c)
Draw
a
line
up
the
slot
to
the
380 pounds
position
(180
+
200)
and
put
a
dot.
(d)
Move the
slotted
plastic again
to
get
the
zero
end
of
the
middle
seat
slot
over
this
dot.
(e)
Draw
a
line
up
this slot
to
the 250
pound position
(115
+
135)
and
place the
3rd dot.
(f)
Continue
moving
the
plastic
and
plotting points
to account
for
weight in
the
rear
seats
(80
+
100),
forward
baggage
compartment
(50),
rear
baggage
compartment
(45),
and fuel
tanks
(360).
(g)
As
can
be
seen
from
the
illustration, the
final
dot shows
the total
weight
to
be
4115 pounds with the
C.G.
at
90.1.
This is
well
within
the envelope.
(h)
There
will be
room
for
more
fuel.
As
fuel is burned
off,
the
weight
and C.G.
will follow
down
the
fuel
line
and
stay
within
the
envelope
for
landing.
REPORT:
VB-1110
ISSUED:
JANUARY
8, 1981
6-16