214. May an operator use the information in this AC to develop a backup system?
An operator using an onboard weight and balance system as its primary means of calculating weight and balance may use the guidance in this AC to develop a backup system based on a conventional weight buildup. If an operator develops and receives approval for a backup system, the FAA may grant the operator relief to include an onboard weight and balance system in the operator’s minimum equipment list.
215. What operational considerations should an operator take into account when using a computerized weight and balance system?
a. An operator may use an installed computerized weight and balance system to calculate the load schedule for the aircraft’s weight and balance for primary dispatch, provided that the system received certification and operational approval for use in an operator’s approved weight and balance control program. The system consists of a computer program that runs on installed Electronic Flight Bag computing devices or the Aircraft Communication Addressing and Reporting System, and can be downloaded to ground operations via electronic links. The system displays the load sheet to the pilot or flight operations for primary dispatch.
b. Like operators using a conventional weight buildup method to calculate weight and balance, an operator may use the computerized weight and balance system to provide the FAA approved loading schedules. The operator who uses the computerized weight and balance system as part of its approved weight and balance program should meet all provisions pertinent to the operator’s approved weight and balance program as described in this AC.
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CHAPTER 3. METHODS TO DETERMINE THE WEIGHT OF
PASSENGERS AND BAGS
Section 1. Choosing the Appropriate Method
300. What should an operator consider when choosing the appropriate method?
a. For many years, operators of transport category aircraft have used average weights for passengers and bags to calculate an aircraft’s weight and balance, in accordance with standards and recommended practices. This method eliminates many potential sources of error associated with accounting for a large number of relatively light weights. However, differences between the actual weight of passengers and bags and the average weight of passengers and bags can occur when using average weights.
b. Statistical probability dictates that the smaller the sample size (i.e., cabin size), the more the average of the sample will deviate from the average of the larger universe. Because of this, the use of standard average passenger weights in weight and balance programs for small and medium cabin aircraft should be examined in greater detail.
c. The next four sections describe four methods available to operators to determine passenger and bag weight. They are standard average weights in Section 2; average weights based on survey results in Section 3; segmented weights in Section 4; and actual weights in Section 5. An operator should review the following discussion and consult Table 3-1 to determine which method or methods are appropriate to its type of operation.
d. Large Cabin Aircraft. Operators of large cabin aircraft may use the standard average weights for passengers and bags. If an operator determines that the standard average weights are not representative of its operation for some route or regions, it is encouraged to conduct a survey as detailed in Section 3 of this chapter, to establish more appropriate average weights for its operation. Operators should have procedures for identifying situations that would require the use of nonstandard or actual weights.
e. Medium Cabin Aircraft. Medium cabin aircraft should be evaluated to determine if the aircraft should be treated more like large or small cabin aircraft. To determine if a medium cabin aircraft can be treated as a large cabin aircraft, the aircraft must meet either both of the loadability criteria or the loading schedule criteria or else be subject to the small cabin weights and curtailments:
Par 300 Page 19
Loadability Criteria:
• The CG of the OEW is within the manufacturer’s loading envelope, and
• The CG of the zero fuel weight is within the manufacturer’s loading envelope when loaded with a full load of passengers and all cargo compartments are filled with a density of 10 pounds per cubic foot.
Or
Loading Schedule Criteria:
• The operator must use a loading schedule based upon zones. The aircraft cabin may have no more than four rows per zone with not less then four zones.
f. Small Cabin Aircraft. Operators of small cabin aircraft may request approval to use any one of the following methods when calculating the aircraft weight and balance.
(1) The operator may use actual passenger and bag weights, or
(2) The operator may use the segmented passenger weights listed in Table 3-5 and average bag weights listed in Section 2 of this chapter, or
(3) The operator may use the standard average passenger and bag weights prescribed for large cabin aircraft, or average weights based on an FAA-accepted survey, if
(a) The aircraft was certificated under part 23 commuter category, part 25, or part 29 (or is able to prove an aircraft has equivalent part 25 or 29 performance data), and
(b) The operator curtails the aircraft CG envelope as prescribed in Appendixes 3 and 4 of this AC.
Page 20 Par 300
Section 2. Standard Average Weights
301. What standard average passenger weights should an operator with an approved carry-on bag program use?
a. The standard average passenger weights provided in Table 3-1 were established based on data from U.S. Government health agency surveys. For more background information on the source of these weights, refer to Appendix 2.
b. The standard average passenger weights in Table 3-1 include 5 pounds for summer clothing, 10 pounds for winter clothing, and a 16-pound allowance for personal items and carry-on bags. Where no gender is given, the standard average passenger weights are based on the assumption that 50 percent of passengers are male and 50 percent of passengers are female.
TABLE 3-1. STANDARD AVERAGE PASSENGER WEIGHTS Standard Average Passenger Weight Weight Per Passenger Summer Weights Average adult passenger weight 190 lb Average adult male passenger weight 200 lb Average adult female passenger weight 179 lb Child weight (2 years to less than 13 years of age) 82 lb
Winter Weights Average adult passenger weight 195 lb Average adult male passenger weight 205 lb Average adult female passenger weight 184 lb Child weight (2 years to less than 13 years of age) 87 lb
c. An operator may use summer weights from May 1 to October 31 and winter weights from November 1 to April 30. However, these dates may not be appropriate for all routes or operators. For routes with no seasonal variation, an operator may use the average weights appropriate to the climate. Use of year-round average weights for operators with seasonal variation should avoid using an average weight that falls between the summer and winter average weights. Operators with seasonal variation that elect to use a year-round average weight should use the winter average weight. Use of seasonal dates, other than those listed above, will be entered as nonstandard text and approved through the operator’s OpSpec, MSpec, or LOA, as applicable.
d. The standard average weights listed in Table 3-1 are based on the assumption that the operator has a carry-on bag program. Operators using a no-carry-on bag program should refer to paragraph 305 of this section.
NOTE: The weight of children under the age of 2 has been factored into the standard average and segmented adult passenger weights.
Par 301 Page 21
302. What standard average weights should an operator use for carry-on bags and personal items?
a. An operator using standard average passenger weights should include the weight of carry-on bags and personal items in the passenger’s weight. The standard average passenger weights in Table 3-1 include a 16-pound allowance for personal items and carry-on bags, based on the assumption that—
(1) One-third of passengers carry one personal item and one carry-on bag.
(2) One-third of passengers carry one personal item or carry-on bag.
(3) One-third of passengers carry neither a personal item nor a carry-on bag.
(4) The average weight allowance of a personal item or a carry-on bag is 16 pounds.
b. If an operator believes the 16-pound allowance for personal items and carry-on bags is not appropriate for its operations or receives notification from the FAA that the assumptions provided in paragraph 302a are not consistent with the operator’s approved program, the operator should conduct a survey to determine what percentage of passengers carry personal items or carry-on bags aboard the aircraft. An example of how to adjust the personal item and carry-on bag allowance, based on the results of a survey, is in Section 3. An operator should not use an allowance of less than 16 pounds for personal items and carry-on bags unless the operator conducts a survey or unless the operator has a no-carry-on bag program.
303. What standard average weights should an operator use for checked bags?
An operator that chooses to use standard average weights for checked bags should use a standard average weight of at least 30 pounds. An operator that requests approval to use a standard average weight of less than 30 pounds for checked bags should have current, valid survey data to support a lesser weight. An operator also may conduct a study to establish different standard average bag weights for portions of its operation to account for regional, seasonal, demographic, aircraft, or route variation. For example, an operator could establish different standard average bag weights for domestic and international routes.
a. Heavy bags. Heavy bags are considered any bag that weighs more than 50 pounds but less than 100 pounds. An operator should account for a heavy bag by using one of the following weights:
(1) A standard average weight of 60 pounds,
(2) An average weight based on the results of a survey of heavy bags, or
(3) The actual weight of the heavy bag.
NOTE: An operator that uses “double-counting” to treat a heavy bag as if it were two checked bags for weight purposes should ensure the load manifest represents the actual number of bags for counting purposes. An operator Page 22 Par 302
should have a system in place to ensure that heavy bags are identified, although operators may not be required to weigh heavy bags on a scale.
b. Non-luggage bags. A non-luggage bag is any bag that does not meet the normal criteria for luggage. Examples include golf bags, fishing equipment packages, wheelchairs and strollers in their shipping configuration, windsurfing kits, boxed bicycles, etc. For non-luggage bags, operators may use any appropriate combination of actual weights, average weights based on survey results, or standard average bag weights. Operators that wish to establish an average weight for a particular type of non-luggage bag, such as a golf bag, must conduct a survey in accordance with the procedures established in Section 3 of this chapter. Operators also should establish a method to calculate the effect on CG of a large non-luggage bag, such as a surfboard, that may occupy more than one compartment on the aircraft.
304. What standard average weight should an operator of large cabin aircraft use for bags checked plane-side?
Operators with a carry-on bag program that use standard average weights should account for the weight of each carry-on bag checked plane-side as 30 pounds. An operator may request approval to use a weight other than 30 pounds if the operator has current, valid survey data to support a different average weight for plane-side-loaded bags.
305. What standard average weights should an operator of small and medium cabin aircraft use, if it has a “no-carry-on bag program?”
NOTE: A no-carry-on bag program is limited to small and medium cabin aircraft. A no-carry-on bag program is a term of art created for this AC.
Associated with this program are certain standard average weight credits and reductions. Nothing in this AC prevents an operator of large cabin aircraft from having a no-carry-on bag “policy;” however, the acceptable standard bag weights for such checked baggage for large cabin aircraft are outlined in paragraphs 303 and 304 above. Furthermore, the passenger weight credit associated with a no-carry-on-bag program is limited to the small and medium cabin aircraft.
a. An operator with a no-carry-on bag program may allow passengers to carry only personal items aboard the aircraft. Because these passengers do not have carry-on bags, an operator may use standard average passenger weights that are 6 pounds lighter than those for an operator with an approved carry-on bag program. See Table 3-2.
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TABLE 3-2. AVERAGE PASSENGER WEIGHTS FOR OPERATORS WITH A
NO-CARRY-ON BAG PROGRAM Average Passenger Weight Weight Per Passenger Summer Weights Average passenger weight 184 lb Average male passenger weight 194 lb Average female passenger weight 173 lb Child weight (2 years to less than 13 years of age) 76 lb
Winter Weights Average passenger weight 189 lb Average male passenger weight 199 lb Average female passenger weight 178 lb Child weight (2 years to less than 13 years of age) 81 lb
b. An operator that has a no-carry-on bag program may account for a plane-side loaded bag as 20 pounds. To receive authorization to use 20 pounds as the average weight for a plane-side loaded bag, an operator should demonstrate that sufficient controls exist to ensure that passengers do not bring carry-on bags aboard the aircraft. An operator also should demonstrate that sufficient controls exist to ensure the personal items brought aboard the aircraft can fit completely under a passenger seat or in an approved stowage compartment.
c. If an operator discovers that a plane-side loaded bag should have been treated as a checked bag, the operator should account for that bag at the standard average weight of 30 pounds for a checked bag.
306. What are the standard average weights for crewmembers?
a. An operator may choose to use the standard crewmember weights shown in Table 3-3 or conduct a survey to establish average crewmember weights appropriate for its operation.
TABLE 3-3. STANDARD CREWMEMBER WEIGHTS Crewmember Average Weight Average Weight with Bags Flight crewmember 190 lb 240 lb Flight attendant 170 lb 210 lb Male flight attendant 180 lb 220 lb Female flight attendant 160 lb 200 lb Crewmember roller bag 30 lb NA Pilot flight bag 20 lb NA Flight attendant kit 10 lb NA Page 24 Par 305
b. The flight crewmember weights in Table 3-3 were derived from weights listed on all first- and second-class medical certificates. The flight crewmember weight with bags assumes that each flight crewmember has one crewmember roller bag and one pilot flight bag.
c. The flight attendant weights in Table 3-3 were derived from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data. (For additional information on NHANES, see Appendix 2.) The flight attendant weights with bags assume that each flight attendant has one crewmember roller bag and one flight attendant kit.
d. An operator may include the weight of crewmembers in an aircraft’s OEW or add the weight to the load manifest prepared for each flight.
307. What weights may be used for company materials and mail?
a. Company Material. An operator should use actual weights for company material and aircraft parts carried aboard an aircraft.
b. Mail. An operator should use the weights provided with manifested mail shipments to account for the weight of the mail. If an operator has to separate a shipment of mail, the operator may make actual estimates about the weight of the individual pieces, provided the sum of the estimated weights is equal to the actual manifested weight of the entire shipment.
308. What are the standard average weights for special passenger groups that do not fit an operator’s standard average weight profile?
a. Sports Teams.
(1) Actual passenger weights should be used for nonstandard weight groups (sports teams, etc.) unless average weights have been established for such groups by conducting a survey in accordance with the procedures established in Section 3 of this chapter. When such groups form only a part of the total passenger load, actual weights, or established average weights for the nonstandard group, may be used for such exception groups and average weights used for the balance of the passenger load. In such instances, a notation should be made in the load manifest indicating the number of persons in the special group and identifying the group;
e.g., football squad, etc.
(2) Roster weights may be used for determining the actual passenger weight.
(3) A standard allowance of 16 pounds per person may be used to account for carry-on and personal items as provided in the operator’s approved carry-on bag program.
(4) If the carry-on bags are representative of the operator’s profile but do not meet the number of bags authorized per person, the operator may count bags and use a 16 pounds per bag allocation.
(5) Actual weights must be used in cases where the carry-on bags are not representative of the operator’s profile.
Par 306 Page 25
b. Groups that are predominantly male or female should use the standard average weights for males or females provided in Table 3-1.
c. Military Groups. The Department of Defense (DOD) requires actual passenger and cargo weights be used in computing the aircraft weight and balance for all DOD charter missions. This requirement is specified in DOD Commercial Air Carrier Quality and Safety requirements (reference 32 CFR part 861, section 861.4(e)(3)(ix), as revised). FAA-approved air carrier weight and balance control programs may be used to account for carry-on/personal items for mixed loads of military and their dependents (such as channel missions). For combatequipped troop charters, the Air Mobility Command (AMC) will provide guidance to account for the additional weight. If aircraft operators perceive that the weights provided are understated, they should seek confirmation of the actual weights and should make reasonable upward estimations and adjustments to those passenger and/or bag weights.
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Section 3. Average Weights Based on Survey Results
309. What should an operator consider when designing a survey?
a. This section provides operators with an acceptable survey method to use in determining average weights for a weight and balance control program. This section also describes how an operator can conduct a survey to count personal items and carry-on bags to determine an appropriate allowance for those items to include in passenger weight. In addition, an operator may use the methods described in this section to conduct a survey to determine the percentage of male and female passengers, to calculate an average passenger weight.
b. Surveys conducted correctly allow an operator to draw reliable inferences about large populations based on relatively small sample sizes. In designing a survey, an operator should consider—
(1) The sample size required to achieve the desired reliability,
(2) The sample selection process, and
(3) The type of survey (average weights or a count of items).
310. What sample sizes should an operator use?
Several factors must be considered when determining an adequate sample size. The more varied the population, the larger the sample size required to obtain a reliable estimate. Paragraph 311 provides a formula to derive the absolute minimum sample size to achieve a 95-percent confidence level. Table 3-4 has been provided for those operators that wish to use calculations other than those listed in paragraph 311. Table 3-4 provides the operator with an acceptable number of samples that may be collected to obtain a 95-percent confidence level and lists the tolerable error associated with each category.
TABLE 3-4. MINIMUM SAMPLE SIZES Survey Subject Minimum Sample Size Tolerable Error Adult (standard adult/male/female) 2,700 1% Child 2,700 2% Checked bags 1,400 2% Heavy bag 1,400 2% Plane-side loaded bags 1,400 2% Personal items and carry-on bags 1,400 2% Personal items only (for operators with no carry-on bag program) 1,400 2%
Par 309 Page 27
311. When conducting a survey, can an operator collect a smaller sample size than that published in Table 3-4?
If the operator has chosen to use a sample size that is smaller than that provided in Table 3-4, the operator should collect a sufficient number of samples to satisfy the following formulas:
average sample theisx ghtssurvey wei individual theisx surveyed points ofnumber theisn deviationstandardtheis s :
2)^( _ j 1 _ Where n xx s n j j − − = ∑ =
error tolerable theis :
* 100**96.1 _ e Where xn se =
312. What sampling method should an operator use?
a. An operator conducting a survey must employ random sampling techniques. Random sampling means that every member of a group has an equal chance of being selected for inclusion in the sample. If an operator conducts a survey that does not employ random sampling, the characteristics of the selected sample may not be indicative of the larger group as a whole.
Because of this, any conclusions drawn from such a survey may not be valid.
b. The following are two examples of random sampling methods that an operator may find appropriate for the type of survey conducted. An operator may also consult a basic textbook on statistics to determine if another random sampling method is more appropriate.
(1) Simple random selection. An operator should assign a sequential number to each item in a group (such as passengers waiting on a line or bag claim tickets). Then the operator randomly selects numbers and includes the item corresponding with the number in the sample.
The operator repeats this process until it has obtained the minimum sample size.
(2) Systematic random selection. An operator should randomly select an item in sequence to begin the process of obtaining samples. The operator should then use a Page 28 Par 311