Computerized weight and balance

cessnadriver · #1 01-03-12, 10:40 AM

Happy New Years to ALL.
Does anyone have a copy, and are willing to share, of a computerized W&B for a C337 with 4200 gross weight? We in the Civil Air Patrol use a W&B that you simple "plug-in" the values and the computer does the actual calculations. I've seen similar programs on the internet, but some are quite costly.
Thanks, BILLS bstory@pa.rr.com

edasmus · #2 01-03-12, 02:06 PM

I use EXCEL which is simply a spreadsheet on the computer. Takes very little time to set up. If you have access to any type of computer spreadsheet software, you can make one. Simply use the W&B data supplied by your manual and once that is set up, you simply need to plug in your weights and at what stations for a particular flight and presto, the computer will spit out what you are looking for.

Good Luck,

Ed

cessnadriver · #3 01-04-12, 08:46 AM

Thanks Ed. A member, Gord, just sent me the Excel W&B program. Appreciate it though.
BILLS

billsheila · #4 01-04-12, 05:03 PM

BILLS;
Any chance you could attach that spreadsheet in a post? I also fly a 4200lb bird and am pretty much useless creating spreadsheets, but using one shoud be easy enough! Thanks

Bill Taylor

cessnadriver · #5 01-04-12, 06:26 PM

Bill, My friend Bill just helped me modify the spreadsheet to perform the WT&BAL on the computer. I'll be happy to send it to you. I have to Thank Gord as well for his assistance in this matter. Be aware you MUST check the information in the spreadsheet for your aircraft. Not responsible for errors.
You'll need to have Excel program to use this. I'm enclosing my e-mail address because there seems to be a problem attaching it to this web site-sorry.bstory@pa.rr.com
BILLS

Ernie Martin · #6 01-05-12, 12:20 AM

At the risk of getting in trouble, I don't EVER do a weight and balance (w&b) calculation. For like the last 10 years.

I trained with a CFI that weighed over 300 lbs, did the w&b and it was OK. Early on, when I was building a house in the Bahamas, I made some trips with just me and lots of cargo, did the w&b and it was OK (to be fair, heavier stuff like beer cases went on the 2nd row of seats or near the front of the cargo area).

After several more w&b with pretty extreme loads, I concluded that it's very hard to get a Skymaster outside the w&b parameters, if you adhere to the max weight restriction on the cargo area and use minimal common sense (obviously, if one day I have an extraordinary load, like very light kids and a heavy cargo load, I will do a w&b).

Do other readers feel the same way? Or have you found instances where a Skymaster is outside the w&b parameters?

Ernie

DBrugg · #7 01-19-12, 10:00 PM

I have used this one for years. It takes a little work to set up but the sliding scales make it easy to size up your loads.
http://www.skybound.nl/cgi-bin/service/wb/index.cgi

Red Air Rambo · #8 01-20-12, 05:58 PM

I just sent in the data for a generic T-337G to fltplan.com so hopefully that will be an option soon.

Red Air Rambo · #9 01-21-12, 08:26 PM

Well it seems I need a CG Graph with the arm which my POH does not have.....anyone have one? 1973 T-337G.

hew · #10 01-22-12, 06:50 AM

If you want to build a spreadsheet for this the formulae for the fore and aft c of g limits are not in the POH. You can get them from the Type Certificate Data Sheet which may vary with each model. The aft limit is quite simple as it is a straight line. The forward limit changes with increase in gross wt.
I have run several scenarios for an E model and it's very difficult to get it outside the limits. Max weight in luggage compartment and very light pilot might bust the aft limit otherwise if you load as per the weight limits at each station it stays within the limits.
You will need to alter the attached spreadsheet for your aircraft and make sure the results match the POH method before relying on it.
I have a version that will run on your iPad, you just need to buy the "Numbers" ap.

hharney · #11 01-22-12, 06:34 PM

This is the best W&B app out there. You can have multiple aircraft and it works great. On the iPad is so convenient because you have it with you anyway. Just another great reason to have the iPad in the cockpit.

It's only $5.99

http://warbredstudios.com/flightscale/flightscale.html

cessnadriver · #12 11-27-12, 09:47 AM

Herb.
Thanks for the update. I contacted the Web site for B n W Pro. I unfortunately I don't own an I-Pod or I-Pad and asked them if they had a Windows version, they do not. They also said they didn't offer the Skymaster version.
Thanks any ways.
BILLS

JimC · #13 11-27-12, 04:57 PM

You can program any the data for a 337 (or any aircraft) yourself. it's not hard and only needs to be done once. If you do get an iPad or iPhone, don't let the lack of a 337-specific template worry you.