FAA Advisory Circular 43.13-1B
Acceptable Methods, Techniques, and Practices
Aircraft Inspection and Repair
AC 43.13-1B | 10. Weight and Balance | 1. Terminology | 10-2. Terminology
AC 43.13-1B CHG 1
9/27/01
FIGURE 10-7. Operating center of gravity range.
scales under the landing gear tires, a vertical
line passing through the centerline of the axle
will locate the point on the scale at which the
weight is concentrated. This point is called the
“weighing point.” Other structural locations
capable of supporting the aircraft, such as jack
pads on the main spar, may also be used if the
aircraft weight is resting on the jack pads. In-
dicate these points clearly in the weight and
balance report when used instead of the land-
ing gear. Typical locations of the weighing
points are shown in figure 10-8.
o. Zero Fuel Weight. The maximum
permissible weight of a loaded aircraft (pas-
sengers, crew, cargo, etc.) less its fuel is zero
fuel weight. All weights in excess of maxi-
mum zero fuel weight must consist of usable
fuel.
p. Minimum Fuel. The minimum fuel for
balance purposes is 1/12 gallon per maximum-
except-take-off horsepower (METO). Mini-
mum fuel is the maximum amount of fuel
which can be used in weight and balance com-
putations when low fuel might adversely affect
the most critical balance conditions. To de-
termine the weight of fuel in pounds divide the
METO horsepower by two.
q. Full Oil. The full oil is the quantity of
oil shown in the Aircraft Specifications or
TCDS as oil capacity. Use full oil as the
quantity of oil when making the loaded weight
and balance computations.
r. Tare. The weight of chocks, blocks,
stands, etc., used when weighing aircraft is
called tare and is included in the scale read-
ings. Tare is deducted from the scale reading
at each respective weighing point when tare is
involved, to obtain the actual aircraft weight.
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