2006-09-12 01:32:00 · 7 answers · asked by Andrew B 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Aircraft
Yes it can, the aircraft is simply weighed and the c of g can be calculated from the weight on each wheel. You know the total weight of the aircraft, therefore it is relatively simple calculation to find the c of g, It is done when the aircraft comes off the production line, since no two are exactly the same, different airlines, different configurations, especially after any major modification, or prior to any flight testing.
It is a very common procedure.
2006-09-12 02:25:35 · answer #1 · answered by PolarCeltic 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Every airplane has a weight and balance procedures manual.
The manual provides the procedures required to weigh the airplane. The c of g is also a result of the weight and balance calculations.
All aircraft are required to know exactly where the c/g is as a percent of mean aerodynamic chord (mac). That is because the c/g and center of lift relationship govern the stability.
There is an allowable range for the c/g to be in where flight can be accomplished safely. If the c/g is outside the limits, it could likely crash on take off.
2006-09-13 09:10:36 · answer #2 · answered by Munster 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In theroy, Yes you could measure it by hand. In fact if you had a giant needle and a crane to hoist the aircraft and position it on to the needle head, you could balance the aircraft perfectly. In real life, the C of G is measured by many factors, including Cargo, Passengers, Fuel ditribution and seating configs. There is a formula for each type of aircraft that allows you to work out precicly the Center of Gravity for that craft.
2006-09-13 19:50:11 · answer #3 · answered by ADAM M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
putting aaside the smart alec comments about respective hand sizes
all (modern) aircraft do detailed CoG calculations of any / all components. In military aircraft the individual subsystem suppliers provide CoG calculations for their system, which can then be integrated into the final design by the manufacturers. I would expecgt civil airdraft sdesigners to do exactly the same.....
2006-09-12 08:45:10 · answer #4 · answered by Mark J 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It can't be check-balanced by hand - as a full-size is too heavy to lift by hand, but could be checked by measuring the load on each of the landing gear. This would be done in much the same way as it can be for cars, with a weigh-pad under each wheel.
2006-09-12 08:38:14 · answer #5 · answered by Neil 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It must still be calculated, and weighed. This will be estimated and corrected in the air with the trim tabs
2006-09-12 10:48:14 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow... thats one hell of a question, I would have to say yes, pending on the size of your hand.
2006-09-12 08:38:50 · answer #7 · answered by DANCE'A'PHOBIA 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋