Summer/winter weights

Freetime · Post by **Freetime** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 10:51 pm

Can anyone tell me where I will find the dates for the beginning and end of summer/winter weights? Thanks.

dangerous · Post by **dangerous** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 8:29 am

Only our good buddies at TC would be so beauocratic as to put dates on something like this. I would use common sense and say that it depends where your are and what time of year it is. Canada is a big place with extremely different weather in every region. Take a look at your PAX. If they are bundled up, use the winter weights. If you're looking for this info for the sake of studying for an exam, I don't think I've ever seen it but please let us know if you find it. Then I'll laugh. I'm not trying to mock you, just looking for a laugh at TC's expense. Cheers.

CD · Post by CD » Sat Nov 19, 2005 8:50 am

I don't recall seeing any dates for the use of these weights in Canada (although that guidance may be around somewhere)...

TC AIM - RAC 3.5 Weight and Balance Form

Now, the FAA on the other hand, does publish dates for when these weights are to be used:

An operator may use summer weights from May 1 to October 31 and winter weights from November 1 to April 30. However, these dates may not be appropriate for all routes or operators.

AC 120-27E Aircraft Weight and Balance Control

Rudy · Post by **Rudy** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 11:41 am

Dec. 15 and Mar. 15 stick out in my head for some reason. But 'dangerous' is correct in saying use common sense.

Turkey · Post by **Turkey** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 11:49 am

This industry is no place for "common sense."

We'd all be much safer if there was a published date when everyone gets heavier. Not a minute before. Not a minute after.

Most operators have this date published in their Ops Manual. I think the dates were formerly in the AIP. Don't know if or where they'd be now.

abflyguy · Post by **abflyguy** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 2:59 pm

The dates are in your OPS manual and change depending on where you fly. You can imagine that winter comes a lot earlier in some places than others.

snoopy · Post by **snoopy** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 4:46 pm

The definition of Summer and Winter was removed, intentionally or unintentionally, from the published weights when TC changed the weights. There is no definition for summer and or winter in the CARS so one might suppose it is now up to operator discretion.
Of course the safest thing to do is to use actual weights...
Cheers,
Snoopy

yxy · Post by **yxy** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 12:42 am

December 13th sounds right....

cyyz · Post by **cyyz** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 6:40 pm

It's always cold in Canada, my Igloo says, it's winter 24/7.

Over the Horn · Post by **Over the Horn** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 7:56 pm

When the changes to the weights came out we asked TC about this and were told that it was at our discretion when to change over, since in the north winter comes alot sooner than in the south it only makes sense that a fixed date wouldn't work

oldtimer · Post by **oldtimer** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 9:08 pm

I use summer weights all year long. Boxes do not gain weight in winter.