Weighing Gliders
Liability
This programme is provided for the convenience of inspectors and as a "quick check". It will only do the sums for you. It will give the wrong answers if you enter wrong information! If you are at all suspicious of the answers or if they are significantly different from previous weighings, without good reason, please check your data and get someone else to double check it. The most difficult and critical thing to measure is the distance from the wheel to datum. An inch error can give a 20 lb error in minimum pilot weight.
The author and others have used this programme for several years without problems but the BGGC and the author accept no responsibility for the consequences of mistakes or errors (mine or yours) when using this programme.
If anyone has any comments or constructive suggestions for improvements please contact me at tim@macfadyenhome.freeserve.co.uk
Tim Macfadyen 6 Jan 2008
Instructions
This program uses the BGA weighing method as documented in the BGA AMP and inspectors should follow this procedure carefully to obtain the correct measurements.
Please note carefully that this method (unlike the earlier BGA method) measures the tail support from the Datum.
Notes:
- If your pilot position is aft of datum then put a minus sign in front of the distance.
- If the wheel is forward of datum put the distance in as positive, if aft negative
- The tailwheel to Datum measure is always positive
The output placards from this programme can be copied into "word" or similar and then changed to suit individual gliders, e.g. adding information on tail tanks, nose weights, fin batteries etc.
Where several calculations are needed, for example for gliders with adjustable seat backs and thus different pilot positions, run the programme several times with the different information and then combine it in one placard.
Max weight of non-lifting components
For virtually all gliders (except vintage ones) the manufacturers quote a maximum weight of non-lifting components. This is the weight of everything except the wings, (the fuselage, TP, pilot, parachute and all other fuselage contents). It is therefore essential to weigh the fuselage and TP separately from the wings to find the empty fuselage (& TP) weight. For the very few types where a max weight of non lifting components is not quoted by the manufacturer, enter the max AUW (dry) in the “max weight of non-lifting components” box and enter zero in the “fuselage & TP weight” box.
Liability
Just to be clear, you use this program at your own risk, no liability is accepted for the results.