Section 6
Weight & Balance
Columbia 400 (LC41-550FG)
RC050002
Initial Issue of Manual: November 10, 2004
6-10
Latest Revision Level/Date: -/11-10-2004
PROCEDURES FOR DETERMINING GROSS WEIGHT
AND
LOADED CENTER OF GRAVITY (CG)
USEFUL LOAD AND STATIONS
The useful load is determined by subtracting the empty weight of the airplane from the
maximum allowable gross weight of 3600 pounds. The current information obtained from the
Weight & Balance Record in the previous discussion contains the empty weight and empty
moments for this airplane. The useful load includes the weight of pilot, passengers, usable fuel,
and baggage.
The objective in good weight and balance planning is to distribute the useful load in a manner
that keeps the loaded center of gravity within prescribed limits and near the center of the CG
range. The center of gravity is affected by both the amount of weight added and the arm or
distance from the datum. The arm is sometimes expressed as a station. For example, if weight is
added at station 110, this means the added weight is 110 inches from the datum or zero reference
point. The drawing below, Figure 6 - 10, shows the location of passenger and baggage loading
stations. The fuel is loaded at station 118 and is not shown in the figure. These loading stations
are summarized in Figure 6 - 12.
Figure 6 - 10
BAGGAGE
The space between the rear seat and the aft bulkhead is referred to as the main baggage area, and
the shelf aft of this area is called the hat rack or simply the shelf. In Figure 6 - 10 and Figure 6 -
12 there are listings for three main area baggage stations, which are labeled A, M, and B. Area A
is the forward baggage zone and area B is the aft baggage zone. Point M is the middle point of
the baggage compartment. The arm for the shelf is measured from the datum point to the center
portion of the shelf.
Since the main baggage area, exclusive of the hat rack, is about three and one half feet in length,
consideration must be given to the arm of weights placed within this area. The use of multiple
baggage loading stations contribute to more precise center of gravity computations and facilitate