Weight and balance report

[redwing]

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[nightbird]

The weight on the weight and balance report, that's the one that is specific to your aircraft, what you have on the POH is more like a general example.

[deflux]

Yup, the weight and balance in the POH never changes. The weight and balance sheet (or report, whatever) is updated if anything changes in the plane. Even putting in a different kind of radio that is slightly heavier needs the weight and balance to be changed.

[redwing]

So on a flight test, and I complete the weight and balance a few days before, I should still use what is in the pOH, because I dont have the WB report on hand?

[crazy_aviator]

You need the latest Weight and balance report which must be carried aboard the plane each flight , its usually in the back of the journey log or in the plane ,,otherwise, your calculations are illegal !!

[RFlyer]

... and unless you plan on always filling the tanks full, you can't know in advance of the day what numbers to put in for fuel anyhow. This is especially true for rental aircraft whose tanks are usually left as they were when the previous renter returned. Filling them full after returning doesn't always work out very well for the next renter.

I realized this little snag when I started taking digital camera photos of the W&B reports for the planes I was renting so I could get the thing done in advance of travelling to the airport and eating into my precious rental time. I had the photo, but still wasn't sure what the fuel qty was going to be.

[paydaymayday]

To clarify, redwing, you need to use the weight and balance specific to that aircraft on the flight test - just like any other flight. It should only take you a few minutes tops to do a W&B; I know it takes a little longer on the ab initio training, but drill yourself with different W&B situations until you can do it in your sleep in 1 minute.

Good question, though, and best of luck in your flight test.

[200hr Wonder]

I would like to add that for a flight test you *should* be able to count on an aircraft and fuel load. I highly recommend leaving large notes for the previous flight to please a. leave my tanks as is, or b. fill them up. Then when you get to the airport you can add fuel if scenario a. is required to what you need in your weight an balance. Of course you also need to be comfortable enough with the W&B calcs that say you go do your pre-flight and there is oil under the plane you can just grab the next plane on the ramp and do a quick W&B and pre-flight and be gone.