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Required reading for this module:
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Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge Chapter 10- Weight and Balance
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1.
Weight and Balance: Calculating on Paper
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There are two common ways to calculate Weight and Balance for an aircraft:
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Using a Weight and Balance form and calculating the Center of Gravity for each station
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-or-
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Using a computer or tool like ForeFlight that performs the calculations for you.​
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It is important to understand how to calculate a Weight and Balance on paper. You will be required to do so on the written test.
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The following video displays how to calculate Weight and Balance on paper:
2.
Weight and Balance: Setting up in ForeFlight
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Each aircraft, in order to remain airworthy, is required to have an updated Weight and Balance form that is always kept inside the airplane during any flight.
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Any time that equipment is added or removed from the aircraft, the empty weight changes.
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In order to accurately complete a Weight and Balance for any aircraft, we must know the Empty Weight of the aircraft at the time of the calculation.
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The following form is the updated Weight and Balance that is kept inside the aircraft we are using:

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The following tutorial from ForeFlight shows how to set up a Weight and Balance profile for your aircraft.
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You will use the above 'New Empty Weight" for the aircraft's empty weight in setup, as well as the 'New C.G. (ARM)' for the aircraft's arm.


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Note: N416AM has an optional extended volume fuel tank installed. Therefore, the following options will be selected during the aircraft setup.