BHT-407-MM-2

CHAPTER 8 - WEIGHT AND BALANCE

CONTENTS - MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES

Paragraph Chapter/Section Page
Number Title Number Number

WEIGHT AND BALANCE

8-1. Purpose ............................................................................ 8-00-00 3

8-2. General ............................................................................. 8-00-00 3
8-3. Terminology ...................................................................... 8-00-00 3

LEVELING

8-4. Leveling with the use of a Plumb Bob .............................. 8-00-00 5

8-5. Weighing Procedure ......................................................... 8-00-00 5
8-6. Preparation Of The Helicopter For Weighing.................... 8-00-00 5
8-7. Weighing........................................................................... 8-00-00 5
8-8. Calculations ...................................................................... 8-00-00 7
8-9. Calculating As-weighed Center of Gravity ........................ 8-00-00 7
8-10. Calculating Initial Weight Empty and Center of Gravity .... 8-00-00 7
8-11. Computing an Actual Weight Record — Examples ......... 8-00-00 8
8-12. Calculating Final Weight Empty Center of Gravity............ 8-00-00 8
8-13. Use of the weight empty center of gravity limits ............... 8-00-00 8
8-14. Use of the gross weight flight limits .................................. 8-00-00 14
8-15. Sample Weighing Procedure ............................................ 8-00-00 24
8-16. Calculating the Lateral Center of Gravity.......................... 8-00-00 24
8-17. Installation of Ballast......................................................... 8-00-00 24
8-18. Model 407 Kit Weights...................................................... 8-00-00 28

FIGURES

Figure Page
Number Title Number

8-1. Leveling ...................................................................................................... 6

8-2. Calculating as-weighed center of gravity (Example.................................... 10
8-3. Weight and balance station diagram .......................................................... 12
8-4. How to find the correct ballast weight ......................................................... 15
8-5. Weight empty vs center of gravity .............................................................. 16
8-6. Gross weight longitudinal center of gravity limits - Standard units ............. 18
8-7. Completing an actual weight record - Standard units (Example)................ 20
8-8. Completing an actual weight record - Metric units (Example) .................... 21
8-9. Ballast installation ....................................................................................... 22
8-10. Actual weight record — Standard unit ........................................................ 26
8-11. Actual weight record — Metric units ........................................................... 27
8-12. Actual weight record ................................................................................... 35

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TABLES

Table Page
Number Title Number

8-1. Sample weighing using electronic platform scales ..................................... 8

8-2. Weights for various fuels and oils ............................................................... 9
8-3. Deriving initial weight empty and center of gravity (example) .................... 11
8-4. Ballast locations.......................................................................................... 13
8-5. Deriving final weight empty from initial weight empty (example) ................ 14
8-6. Sample weighing procedure ....................................................................... 25
8-7. Kit weights (Standard units)........................................................................ 29
8-8. Bell 407 with standard skid gear (Standard units) ..................................... 31
8-9. Kit weights (Metric units) ............................................................................ 32
8-10. Bell 407 on standard gear .......................................................................... 34

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WEIGHT AND BALANCE

8-1. PURPOSE Useful Load - the maximum gross weight minus the
weight empty. The maximum gross weight includes the
This section gives the procedures that are necessary pilot, the passengers, the engine oil, fuel, baggage,
to find the actual weight empty and the center of and cargo.
gravity (CG) of a helicopter configuration, and to find
what changes, if any, are necessary to keep the Center of Gravity (CG) - the point about which all of
helicopter within the gross weight flight limits during the moments in all of the axes are exactly equal in
operation. magnitude. For balance purposes, think of the weight
of an item as being concentrated at the CG of the item.
8-2. GENERAL
Weight Empty CG - The center of gravity of the
The CG is the balance point of a body and it is used helicopter in it's weight empty condition.
when you calculate the weight and balance for the
helicopter. If we compare a helicopter with a
pendulum, the suspension point is where the main NOTE
rotor hub intersects the mast and the pendulum weight
is the helicopter. The pendulum weight will stop with its When the gross weight flight limits taper,
CG directly below the suspension point. For example: increasing weight empty can cause a
a helicopter will fly with its nose up if the CG is aft of previous payload configuration that had
the hub/mast intersection. To fly the helicopter in a been inside limits to have a center of gravity
level manner, the pilot must move the cyclic control outside limits.
stick forward. The more the pilot moves the cyclic
control stick forward, the less power there will be for Most Forward Gross Weight - the sum of the empty
forward speed and the control over the helicopter is weight, the maximum crew weight, the engine oil, and
decreased. Because this loss of control is unsafe, it is all of the useful load items which result in the most
important to keep the helicopter CG within the given forward CG.
gross weight flight limits. This is done in two ways:
Most Aft Gross Weight - the sum of the empty
1. By changing the location of the helicopter weight weight, the minimum crew weight, the engine oil, and
empty CG through equipment relocation or by adding all of the useful load items which result in the most aft
or removing ballast, and CG.

2. By deriving the combinations of useful load items Weight Empty CG Limits - a range of weight empty
which are permitted for each flight. CG based on the standard fuel and passenger loading.
A helicopter that is ballasted within this range will not
8-3. TERMINOLOGY go outside the gross weight flight limits with standard
loading.
If it is necessary to apply weight and balance control,
use the terms that follow: Gross Weight Flight Limits - the center of gravity
range plotted against gross weight within which the
Weight Empty - the value you get when you add up helicopter meets the requirements of the Federal
the weight of the airframe, the power plant, the Aviation Regulations under which it is certified.
required equipment, serviceable and special
equipment, the fixed ballast, hydraulic fluid, Datum - the intersection of the vertical, lateral, and the
transmission and gearbox oil, fuel that is not usable, horizontal planes from which all measurements are
and engine oil that is not drainable. taken for balance purposes. The distance to the CG of
an item is measured from the datum in terms of
Maximum Gross Weight - the maximum approved Fuselage Station (FS), Buttline (BL) and Waterline
take-off weight of the helicopter plus its contents. (WL) (Figure 8-6).

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Arm - the distance from the datum to the CG of an Minimum Fuel - for weight and balance purposes, this
item. The longitudinal arm is the fuselage station, the is the same as unusable fuel.
lateral arm is the buttline, and the vertical arm is the
waterline. The algebraic sign convention is plus (+) for
Undrainable Fuel/Oil - the fuel and oil remaining in
an object that is aft of the datum, above the datum,
their respective system after the draining procedures
and to the right of the datum (when looking forward).
are completed.
The minus sign (-) is used when parts are forward of
the datum, below the datum and to the left of the
datum when looking forward. Tare Weight - for mechanical scales, the weight of
chocks, blocks, stands, etc. that are used during
Moment - the result when you multiply the weight of weighing. This weight is included in the scale
an item and the arm of the item. readings. For electronic scales, consult the scale
manufacturer's data.
Unusable Fuel - whichever is the greater: the amount
of fuel remaining in the system when, in the worst As-Weighed Weight - the weight of the helicopter
attitude in which flight is maintained, the fuel pump configuration on the scales. This should be as close to
cavitates, or when the fuel gage reads zero. weight empty as possible.

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LEVELING

8-4. LEVELING WITH THE USE OF A PLUMB point of the plumb bob (6) is directly over the
BOB intersection of the cross on the level plate (4).

A level plate (4, Figure 8-1) is located in the baggage

bay at Fuselage Station 170.10 and Buttline -8.40. A 8-5. WEIGHING PROCEDURE
slotted level plate (1) is located directly above the level
plate (4) on the underside of the engine pan. To level 8-6. PREPARATION OF THE HELICOPTER FOR
the helicopter, do the steps that follow: WEIGHING

1. Remove the access panel in the baggage bay Before you weigh the helicopter, make sure that the
roof. configuration is as near the weight empty as possible.
Do the steps that follow:
2. Hang a plumb bob (6, Detail A) from the small
hole in the slotted level plate (1). Hang it in such a
1. Remove, as much as possible, dirt, grease,
manner that the plumb bob (6) is just above the level
moisture, and any equipment that is not required for
plate (4) in the baggage bay.
weighing from the helicopter.

2. Make sure that the baggage compartment is

CAUTION empty.

MAKE SURE THE HELICOPTER IS ON A 3. Put all of the kits and the required equipment for
HARD AND LEVEL SURFACE BEFORE weighing in their proper locations.
YOU PUT IT ON THE JACKS. IF YOU DO
NOT DO THIS, THE HELICOPTER CAN
4. Make sure that the transmission, gearbox, and
FALL ON ITS SIDE AND DAMAGE CAN
hydraulic reservoirs are full (Chapter 12).
OCCUR.

3. Put the helicopter on a hard and level surface in 5. Make sure the engine oil system is either fully
an enclosed hangar. drained or topped up to the full mark.

4. Put three jacks (3) under the helicopter at the

permanent jack and tie down fittings. The two forward NOTE
jack fittings (5) are located at Fuselage Station 55.16
and the aft fitting (2) is located at Fuselage Station The weight empty configuration is the
204.92 (Chapter 7). If you have not completed the weight of the basic helicopter plus the
steps 1 and 2 above, do them now. weight of the kits, special equipment, fixed
ballast, transmission and gearbox oil,
hydraulic fluid, unusable fuel, and
5. Adjust the aft jack (3) at the aft jack fitting (2) until undrainable oil.
the helicopter is almost level.

6. Drain the fuel system (Chapter 12).

NOTE
When you make the helicopter level for the 8-7. WEIGHING
weight check, the landing gear skids must
be clear of the floor. 1. Do not weigh the helicopter outdoors or in an
open building because wind, flapping rotors, and body
6. Adjust all three jacks (3) evenly until the sway may seriously affect the accuracy of the scale
helicopter is level. The helicopter is level when the readings.

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Figure 8-1. Leveling

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each digital counter to find the difference from zero.

NOTE Subtract these numbers from the first scale readings
If you use electronic platform scales, (when you subtract a negative number, you add it) to
always align the jackpoint on the center of get the three net weights.
the scale. Do not cross the scale coax wire
on the ground or put any weight on the 8. Add the individual weights to get the “As-
cable. Weighed” Weight. Refer to Table 8-1.

2. If you use electronic loadcells, make sure that the In some cases, tare weight can be negative after
loadcells and the adapters are tightened to the pads of removing weight from electronic scales. This example
the jacks that are used to raise the helicopter. Put the shows this situation.
load cells in position on the jacks. Do the warm-up
recommended by the scale manufacturer. Refer to the
8-8. CALCULATIONS
instructions supplied by the manufacturer and adjust
each load cell to zero.
8-9. CALCULATING AS-WEIGHED CENTER OF
GRAVITY
3. Make sure that each of the scale calibrations
have a zero reading before you do each weighing 1. The distance from Fuselage Station 0.00 to the
procedure. centers of the forward jack fittings (5, Figure 8-1) is
called the forward arm, A. (Figure 8-3). The distance
4. If you will weigh the helicopter on portable scales, from Fuselage Station 0.00 to the center of the aft jack
put the scales in position on level ground. Put a scale fitting (2, Figure 8-1) is called the aft arm, B (Figure 8-
under each jack point. Align the jackpoint on the center 3). The forward arm is 55.16 inches (1401 mm) long
of the scale. Use the jacks to make the helicopter level and the aft arm is 204.92 inches (5205 mm) long.
in the longitudinal and lateral directions (Paragraph 8-
4). 2. Multiply the sum of the net weights of the forward
scales by the forward arm. The result is called the
forward moment and the units are in inch-pounds
(millimeter-kilograms).
CAUTION
3. Multiply the net weight of the aft scale by the aft
MAKE SURE THAT THE LANDING GEAR arm. The result is called the aft moment and the units
SKIDS DO NOT TOUCH THE WEIGH are in inch-pounds (millimeter-kilograms).
SCALES OR THE FLOOR. IF THEY
TOUCH, THE SCALES WILL NOT BE 4. Add the forward and the aft moments. Divide this
BALANCED CORRECTLY. sum by the As-Weighed Weight. The result is the As-
weighed helicopter CG in inches (millimeters) aft of FS
5. Balance each scale and make a note of the 0.00. Refer to Figure 8-2
readings. If you are using electronic scales, find the
weight on each cell from the digital counter. Refer to 8-10. CALCULATING INITIAL WEIGHT EMPTY
the instructions given by the manufacturer. AND CENTER OF GRAVITY

6. Remove the helicopter from the jacks (Chapter 1. Before you find the ballast requirements, you
7). On each scale, weigh the weight tare. This includes must compute the initial weight empty from the As-
the applicable jack, blocks, and any other equipment weighed weight. Balance calculations are based on
that you had in position between the helicopter and the the Weight Empty condition. Start with the As-
scale. Subtract this weight tare from the first scale Weighted weight, the CG, the moment, and do the
reading to get the net weights. steps that follow:

7. If you use electronic scales, remove the a. Add the weight of all the Empty Weight items
helicopter from the jacks (Chapter 7). Make sure that that are not on the helicopter when it was weighed.
the load cells do not touch the jack points. Examine Some examples are:

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• unusable fuel, Both procedures are shown in the sections that

• undrainable engine oil, follows:
• transmission oil, and
• gearbox oils. 8-13. Use of the weight empty center of gravity
limits
b. Subtract the weight of all of the non Weight
Empty items on the helicopter when it was weighed,
When a helicopter has a standard fuel system and a
such as: the plumb bob, the engine oil, the undrainable
standard seating arrangement, use the weight empty
fuel, etc.
CG limits (Figure 8-5) as a guide to correctly ballast
the helicopter.
2. Table 8-2 lists the density weights and quantities
that must be used for weight and balance calculations.
The fuel quantities are for a standard day. If a 1. If the initial weight empty and CG are within the
helicopter has to be weighed with full tanks (this is not weight empty CG limit lines (Figure 8-5), the initial
recommended), do a specific gravity check to find the weight empty is the final weight empty. Write this value
correct weight of fuel on board. down on the Actual Weight Record form that is
included in the flight manual.
3. Table 8-3 shows a typical calculation for deriving
the initial weight empty and the CG. 2. If the computed center of gravity is outside the
limits, the required center of gravity is found by moving
8-11. COMPUTING AN ACTUAL WEIGHT horizontally to the nearest limit and reading the value
RECORD — EXAMPLES at this point. If the limit lines are not vertical, the
required CG that you use should be inside the limit line
For these examples, the helicopter has no weight to allow for the increase in weight because of the
empty equipment missing, the fuel system is drained, addition of the ballast.
the engine oil system is full, and the helicopter was
leveled with a plumb bob. The helicopter was serviced
with JP-5 fuel and MIL-L-23699 oil. a. If the CG is aft of the limit and if the mid
tailboom ballast is already installed, remove the ballast
All changes made to the As-Weighed condition must and calculate the initial weight empty and CG again
be shown on the Actual Weight Record (Figure 8-7 before you calculate the required ballast.
and Figure 8-8).
b. If the CG is forward of the limit line and if the
8-12. CALCULATING FINAL WEIGHT EMPTY nose ballast is already installed, remove the ballast
CENTER OF GRAVITY and calculate the initial weight empty and CG again
before you calculate the required ballast.
The final Weight Empty CG may be found by two
procedures: use the weight empty CG limits (Figure 8-
5) or use the gross weight flight limits (Figure 8-6).

Table 8-1. Sample weighing using electronic platform scales

SCALE LOCATION SCALE READING TARE WEIGHT NET WEIGHT

(LBS) (KG) (LBS) (KG) (LBS) (KG)

Fwd Left 679.2 308.1 2.2 1.0 677.0 307.1

Fwd Right 692.7 314.2 -3.3 -1.5 696.0 315.70

Aft 1523.0 690.8 4.0 1.8 1519.0 689.0

As Weighed 2894.9 1313.1 2.9 1.3 2892.0 1311.8

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