tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10000144.post8561346363089694997..comments2024-03-13T09:47:40.487+00:00Comments on Cockpit Conversation: The Balance Part of W&BAviatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13634111275860140084noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10000144.post-61843028938337375742008-12-03T04:19:00.000+00:002008-12-03T04:19:00.000+00:00Wow. Just as writing this helps you in knowing you...Wow. Just as writing this helps you in knowing your stuff (as you often have mentioned), reading and commenting makes us in the audience wiser, too. This time, however, in my case, it's not so much the physics but the language of physics and their issues of translation.<BR/><BR/>Just as I was about to ask if that thing wouldn't have to be called <I>torque</I> instead of <I>moment</I>, I checked <A HREF="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moment_(physics)" REL="nofollow">a mostly reliable source</A> and was assured that I could trust the native speaker.<BR/><BR/>Note to self: When you think that there's a false friend in translations, it's actually time to relax.<BR/><BR/>Yes, there's more than the translation to <I>torque</I> of the word <I>(Dreh-) Moment</I> that they use <A HREF="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayern#Language_and_dialects" REL="nofollow">in my neck of the woods</A>; and the generalized physical quantitiy of <I>moment</I> (of a vector) makes it <A HREF="http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moment_(Physik)" REL="nofollow">all so easy</A>.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10000144.post-65753300398476052092008-12-02T18:08:00.000+00:002008-12-02T18:08:00.000+00:00I was waiting for Aviatrix's comments on lateral b...I was waiting for Aviatrix's comments on lateral balance. It is interesting how our experiences differ and are similar. <BR/><BR/>In flying Cessna 172s, which can take fuel from both tanks, and the tanks are relatively close to the fuselage I don't really notice any imbalance. In my Cherokee, which can take fuel from only one tank at a time, and the tanks are further out on the wings, I do tend to notice that too much asymmetric fuel burn can cause the need for constant significant aileron input. It is a bit annoying on long cross countries, but not a huge issue. It is usually enough to burn fuel off the heavy side during takeoff, climb and initial cruise. Then routine tank switching keeps things in trim.<BR/><BR/>My experience in a Piper Vagabond agrees with Aviatrix. The Vagabond had a centre main tank, and an aux tank in the left wing root. Even flying solo with my corpulent self and a full aux tank didn't result in any significant imbalance.<BR/><BR/>I've read reviews of single engine turboprops (Socata TBM 700, and Piper Meridian if memory serves) that have automation to actively prevent too much asymmetric fuel burn.nec Timidehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03017143602023726206noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10000144.post-45906060611950785702008-12-02T16:29:00.000+00:002008-12-02T16:29:00.000+00:00In a large airplane the momentary differential in ...In a large airplane the momentary differential in power between the two engines far outweighs any lateral imbalance in loading. I've flown an airplane with a 1600 lb gross weight, probably less than 1400 lbs with just me and fuel by the end of the trip, and not noticed any lateral problems.<BR/><BR/>I have flown a side-by-side two-place ultralight that needed rudder trim adjustment with two on board (the adjustment needed to be done with a saw, so I didn't do it). The test pilot said it was in trim and he was a large guy flying single pilot, so I wondered if that might be an issue, but I didn't get a chance to test it.<BR/><BR/>If you hang an external load off one side, the drag has an effect that overwhelms any weight effects. <BR/><BR/>So no.Aviatrixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13634111275860140084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10000144.post-67174497351475153922008-12-02T13:06:00.000+00:002008-12-02T13:06:00.000+00:00How do you handle lateral center of gravity? Do y...How do you handle lateral center of gravity? Do you need to worry about the weight on each side of the airplane, or is the effect of imbalance too small to worry about?<BR/><BR/>I always wonder how much of an effect it has in a small plane like a C172 if there's just the pilot and he is heavy. Does the aircraft constantly try to roll to the left? Does anyone use ballast to compensate for this sort of thing?Aprentahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11044019956792174942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10000144.post-66696566542051677382008-11-29T21:22:00.000+00:002008-11-29T21:22:00.000+00:00Here's a funny video showing that calculating weig...Here's a funny video showing that calculating weight and balance is also important in some more primitive forms of transport :)<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7fkAF4nElA" REL="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7fkAF4nElA</A>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10000144.post-41018788521950038962008-11-29T17:12:00.000+00:002008-11-29T17:12:00.000+00:00Oh dear. I just heard this funny story about a guy...Oh dear. I just heard <A HREF="http://www.cartalk.com/content/read-on/1998/12-05-98-1.html" REL="nofollow">this funny story about a guy who obviously knew how to do his W&B</A> on <A HREF="http://www.cartalk.com/index.html" REL="nofollow">NPR's awesome Car Talk</A>.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10000144.post-57929063942355357932008-11-28T04:30:00.000+00:002008-11-28T04:30:00.000+00:00As one example of how the theory becomes practice:...As one example of how the theory becomes practice:<BR/><BR/>I've calculated several typical loads for the aircraft that I fly as well as some extreme cases. I've 'set' red flags in my head that warm me when the balance might be an issue and when it'll be alright so long as the Max take-off weight is within limits.<BR/><BR/>Doesn't work all the time and not for everyone, but it keeps life simple for my private flying. But please NOTE. I still DO a weight and balance calculation in my head before each flight by checking how my pre-calculated examples apply (or fail to apply) and I mentally add up the weights to ensure that the total load is within limits.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10000144.post-38472291089533573322008-11-27T16:21:00.000+00:002008-11-27T16:21:00.000+00:00I've done the same for successive PDAs, and now re...I've done the same for successive PDAs, and now re-factoring my Blackberry version. I'd be happy to post it when done if there is any interest.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10000144.post-81560346586979776522008-11-27T15:09:00.000+00:002008-11-27T15:09:00.000+00:00I whipped up a worksheet to help me to W&B cal...I whipped up a worksheet to help me to W&B calculations for the C172.<BR/><BR/>http://fly.blakecrosby.com/files/worksheets.pdf<BR/><BR/>(page 2)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com