September 2012
There are many weight and balance applications to wade through, and you need to be careful. I recently discovered AeroW&B, an aircraft weight and balance application available at the Apple App Store for $2.99. The app was developed for use with iPhones and iPads.
Key factors for a good weight and balance program include data entry for the passengers, fuel and baggage, and a graph that shows whether or not you are within the weight and center of gravity (CG) parameters for the entire flight. AeroW&B shines in meeting these requirements, and the app has filled a hole in my electronic flight bag.
The online manual/documentation is nonexistent, and if you like to install an app and then just poke around until you get it right, you may become frustrated—at least, that’s what happened to me.
Then I discovered a website with video tutorials walking you through all the inputs and menus for both platforms. (See the second entry under Resources for this link. —Ed.)
After you download and install the app on your device, you can fairly quickly configure it and calculate your first weight and balance using the video tutorials. There are separate tutorials for the iPhone and iPad. (The apps are slightly different as far as the buttons displayed when saving some of the data.)
Following along with the steps in the video tutorials, first you will create an aircraft model. In step two, you’ll create a specific aircraft and enter the data for empty weight and arm. Refer to the tutorial for help inputting data for your specific aircraft.
Finish by selecting the “Show W&B” button, and as if by magic you will have your own personal aircraft weight and balance. Then all you’ll need to do is enter the appropriate numbers for fuel, passengers and baggage.
Next click on Graphic and you will see your Takeoff Weight, a line showing fuel used and Zero Fuel Weight. All you need to do is ensure that the lines are within the graph and you now have a calculated W&B for your flight.
One final hint: choose “Complex W&B” to display the weight and balance for takeoff and landing weights and CGs.
With AeroW&B, a flight planning app such as iFlight or ForeFlight, and My Radar, you can feel secure and be ready for fun because of your preparation. Have fun with this new application—and fly safe.
Charles Lloyd has logged 10,000 hours since his first flying lesson in 1954. He worked for Cessna Aircraft for 16 years, and retired as captain for a major fractional aircraft ownership company. His personal aircraft is a great business tool for his real estate investment company. Send questions or comments to editor@www.piperflyer.com.
RESOURCES >>>>>
AeroW&B at iTunes App Store
itunes.apple.com/us/app/aerow-b/id532922514?mt=8
AeroW&B Installation Tutorial
msapps.wordpress.com/2012/06/29/video-tutorials/
Aviation Data Systems Inc. My Radar Weather Radar
itunes.apple.com/us/app/myradar-weather-radar/id322439990?mt=8
ForeFlight LLC
foreflight.com
