W
EIGHT AND
B
ALANCE
R
EVISION
:
-
D
ATE
:
12/29/04
P
AGE
:
5
Copyright
2004 Glasair Aviation, LLC Arlington, Washington All rights reserved
5-2 EMPTY WEIGHT CG CALCULATION
5-2.1 D
ETERMINE THE
S
TATIONS OF THE
L
ANDING
G
EAR
The empty weight CG of the airplane must be determined before any
additional CG calculations can be made. The first step in determining
the empty weight CG is to measure the distances from the datum to the
landing gear. These distances will vary slightly among Sportsmans.
First, with the airplane supported with the wings and the waterline level,
use a plumb bob to mark the location of the cowling mounting flange
joggle (the cowling/fuselage split line) on the floor.
NOTE:
To level and weigh the taildragger Sportsman, prop the
tailwheel on a
stable support
of some kind and block it up to the
appropriate height. Use the permanent waterline marks the fuselage.
Measure forward 58" from the cowling joggle mark and mark a line on
the floor at this point perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline of the
airplane. This line represents the intersection of a plane in space with
the floor. This plane is defined as the reference datum (Station 0.00)
from which all moment arms are measured.
Measure and record the horizontal distances “X” and “Y” from the
datum to the centers of the main and tailwheel axles respectively. See
Figure 5-1. These distances represent the stations of the landing gear.
Enter the results of your measurements here:
M
AIN
G
EAR
(X)____________
T
AILWHEEL
(Y)____________