Aircraft weight and fuel itself are somewhat always constant, to make this question specific, how do they figure out the weight of the passengers on board, do they use an average??
2006-08-31 07:47:44 · 8 answers · asked by mcdonaldcj 6 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Aircraft
Baggage is weighed so they have an exact number on that. Ditto for fuel, engine oil, galley stock, etc.
They typically use average weights for passengers. There has been some controversy on this since most use a "standard" weight of 150 lbs or 175 lbs per passenger. If you've looked around, this is probaby low. At least one commuter crash has been blamed on poor weight and balance calculations using these average numbers.
Some of the latest models have automatic weight and balance calculation features that gets exact weight data from sensors on the landing gear. Much more accurate than using guesstimates!
2006-08-31 09:03:18 · answer #1 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fuel actually varies by trip. A shorter runway may force the pilot to pump less fuel prior to takeoff to lighten the aircraft for example. Passengers weights are estimated based on an average weight.
2006-08-31 08:11:10 · answer #2 · answered by PriJet 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, exactly. And with all the experience they have flying passengers, they have pretty good numbers.
Baggage is weighed, as is freight, as it's important to keep the balance of the aircraft. In addition, fuel can be pumped from tank to tank throughout the flight, to keep things balanced!
2006-08-31 07:55:29 · answer #3 · answered by xraytech 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Now a days aircrafts come with special strain gage based sensors which can give you not ONLY the weight overboard but the angle of attack, engine temperature, stall protection.......etc. etc........aircrafts are so advanced today and improving continuosly...I would suggest that you go to the sites below...you will come to know about all these sensors. So the weight sensor in question is located/positioned in the landing gears...
There is also a patent file underneath to this site which explains how it is done...
2006-08-31 16:03:13 · answer #4 · answered by Ask Dr. Dingo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They go by average on humans to allow space and the baggage is weighed along with the fuel. If the plane is overweight, they have to make a fuel pitstop enroute otherwise, its a non stop flight.
2006-08-31 11:08:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take fuel, baggage, the the passenger count and you have the weight.
2006-08-31 11:42:54 · answer #6 · answered by Doc Savage 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In some cases, they actually weigh people as they get on board, using sensors on the loading dock.
2006-09-01 17:59:06 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, they use an average weight per person (used to be 170lbs, now is 180lbs) and they weigh the cargo/luggage.
2006-08-31 07:55:42 · answer #8 · answered by colglennlarson 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋