Maintenance and Structures Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Maintenance and Structures - Case Study Example Pilots are always provided with the datasheet containing the details concerning the weight and balance of the aircraft. They are advised to ensure that the weight of the aircraft ready to take off does not exceed the maximum take off weight authorized by the designer. This is done to ensure good efficiency in terms of performance to the aircraft during take off on air and during landing. An aircraft with the poor stability as a result of imbalance or overload consumes a lot of fuels for flight maintenance and may cause an accident. The data sheet for weight and balance is always be checked and compared with the real weight of the aircraft after a specified period of time in use has elapsed. This reduces chances if instability and overload which compromise the performance of the aircraft. The weight and balance checking involves determining the total weight and centre of gravity of the aircraft. The personnel in charge will have to determine the datum of the aircraft and use it to calculate the total moments of the aircraft. Weight checks up involve determination of both lateral centre of gravity and longitudinal centre of gravity. The centre of gravity is the point in which the total weight of the aircraft is concentrated .The personnel doing the balance check will ensure that it lies within the range provided by the manufactures to avoid instability cases. Datum (reference line) help the personnel in determining the moments used in the calculation of centre of gravity. Datum is determined by the manufacture and can be located anywhere with the aircraft. The distance measured from the datum to any part of the aircraft is called the arm. The weight and balance design is done by engineers after proper consideration of all the factors and should also be respected by the aircraft mechanics and pilots for safe and efficient operation of the aircraft. Pilots are provided with datasheet that contains