TM 55-1510-221-10
CHAPTER 6
WEIGHT/BALANCE AND LOADING
Section I. GENERAL.
6-1. EXTENT OF COVERAGE.
of Class 1 aircraft forms and records are contained
Sufficient data has been provided so that, know-
in DA PAM 738-751 and TM 55-1510-342-23.
ing the basic weight and moment of the aircraft, any
combination of weight and balance can be com-
puted.
6-3. AIRCRAFT COMPARTMENT AND STA-
TIONS.
6-2. CLASS.
Army Model RC-12H aircraft are in Class 1.
Additional directives governing weight and balance
The aircraft is separated into two compartments
associated with loading. These compartments are the
cockpit and the cabin. Figure 6-l shows the general
description of aircraft compartments.
Section II.
WEIGHT AND BALANCE
6-4. PURPOSE.
The data to be inserted on weight and balance
charts and forms are applicable only to the individ-
ual aircraft, the serial number of which appears on
the title page of the booklet entitled WEIGHT AND
BALANCE DATA supplied by the aircraft manufac-
turer and on the various forms and charts which
remain with the aircraft. The charts and forms
referred to in this chapter may differ in nomencla-
ture and arrangement from time to time, but the
principle on which they are based will not change.
6-5. CHARTS AND FORMS.
The standard system of weight and balance con-
trol requires the use of several different charts and
forms. Within this Chapter, the following are used:
a. Chart C - Basic Weight and Balance
Record, DD Form 365-3 (fig. 6-2).
b. Form F - Weight and Balance Clearance
Form F, DD Form 365-4 (Tactical), fig. 6-3).
6-6. RESPONSIBILITY.
The aircraft manufacturer inserts all aircraft
identifying data on the title page of the booklet enti-
tled WEIGHT AND BALANCE DATA and on the
various charts and forms. All charts, including one
sample Weight and Balance Clearance Form F, if
applicable, are completed at time of delivery. This
record is the basic weight and balance data of the
aircraft at delivery. All subsequent changes in weight
and balance are compiled by the weight and balance
technician.
6-7. WEIGHT DEFINITIONS.
Weight definitions are as follows:
a.
Basic Weight, The basic weight of an air-
craft is that weight which includes all fixed operat-
ing equipment and unusable fuel and engine oil. It
is only necessary to add variable or expendable load
items for various missions. The basic weight of an
aircraft varies with structural modifications and
changes in fixed operating equipment. The term
basic weight, when qualified with a word indicating
the type of missions such as Basic Weight for Com-
bat, Basic Weight for Ferry, etc., may be used in
conjunction with directives stating what the equip-
ment will be for these missions. For example, extra
fuel tanks and various items of equipment installed
for long range ferry flight, which are not normally
carried on combat missions, will be included in
Basic Weight for Ferry but not in Basic Weight for
Combat.
b.
Operating Weight. The operating weight is
the basic weight of the aircraft, including the crew
and all equipment required for the mission, but not
including fuel or payload.
c.
Gross Weight. The gross weight is the total
weight of an aircraft contents, and fuel.
6-1
