Equipment for Weighing

Equipment for Weighing

There are two basic types of scales used to weigh aircraft:
scales on which the aircraft is rolled so that the weight is
taken at the wheels, and electronic load cells type where a
pressure sensitive cell are placed between the aircraft jack
and the jack pads on the aircraft.

Some aircraft are weighed with mechanical scales of the
low-profile type similar to those shown in Figure 3-1.
Large aircraft, including heavy transports, are weighed
by rolling them onto weighing platforms with electronic
weighing cells that accurately measure the force applied
by the weight of the aircraft.

Electronic load cells are used when the aircraft is weighed
by raising it on jacks. The cells are placed between the
jack and the jack pad on the aircraft, and the aircraft is
raised on the jacks until the wheels or skids are off the
floor and the aircraft is in a level flight attitude. The weight
measured by each load cell is indicated on the control
panel.

Mechanical scales should be protected when they are not
in use, and they must be periodically checked for accuracy
by measuring a known weight. Electronic scales normally
have a built-in calibration that allows them to be accurately
zeroed before any load is applied.