*Updated Aircraft Weight and Balance Google Sheets Spreadsheet

Every pilot knows the critical importance of accurately calculating weight and balance for safe and efficient flights. Our new resource, a detailed "Weight and Balance" spreadsheet, is designed to simplify this essential process.

Why weight and balance calculations matter

Weight and balance isn't just a pre-flight checkbox—it's a fundamental safety requirement that directly affects aircraft performance and control:

• Safety: Improper loading can make an aircraft uncontrollable
• Performance: Exceeds weight limits reduce climb performance and increase takeoff/landing distances
• Legality: Operating outside weight and balance limits violates FARs
• Efficiency: Optimal loading improves fuel efficiency and range

Understanding and accurately calculating weight and balance is a skill every pilot must maintain throughout their career.

What's included in this spreadsheet

This comprehensive Google Sheets tool provides:

Automated calculations

• Weight totals: Automatic summation of all weight stations
• Moment calculations: Arm × weight for each station
• CG location: Precise center of gravity in inches from datum
• CG percentage: MAC (mean aerodynamic chord) percentage for reference
• Limits checking: Visual indicators for out-of-limits conditions

Pre-configured sections

Standard weight stations

• Pilot and front passenger
• Rear passengers
• Baggage compartments (forward and aft)
• Fuel (with usable fuel calculations)
• Oil and other fluids

Aircraft-specific data

• Basic empty weight
• Empty weight CG location
• Maximum gross weight
• CG limits (forward and aft, by weight)
• Fuel capacity and usable fuel

Visual aids

• CG envelope graph: Visual representation of loading limits
• Weight progression: Shows how loading sequence affects CG
• Alert system: Color-coded warnings for out-of-limits conditions
• Fuel burn calculator: Predict CG changes during flight

How to use this spreadsheet

Initial setup

1. Enter your aircraft's specific data from the POH
2. Input basic empty weight and moment
3. Set maximum gross weight and CG limits
4. Configure weight station arms specific to your aircraft

For each flight

1. Enter planned passenger weights
2. Input baggage weights by compartment
3. Specify fuel quantity to be loaded
4. Review totals and CG location
5. Adjust loading if out of limits
6. Print or save for pre-flight records

Advanced features

What-if scenarios: Test different loading configurations before passengers arrive

Fuel burn planning: Calculate CG changes as fuel is consumed during flight

Historical tracking: Save configurations for common passenger/baggage combinations

Who should use this tool

This spreadsheet is essential for:

• Student pilots: Learning weight and balance principles with instant feedback
• CFIs: Teaching weight and balance concepts with visual demonstrations
• Aircraft owners: Quick pre-flight calculations for varied missions
• Rental pilots: Verifying aircraft loading before departure
• Flight schools: Standardizing weight and balance procedures across fleet

Benefits of using this spreadsheet

Accuracy: Eliminates calculation errors common in manual methods

Speed: Complete calculations in seconds rather than minutes

Documentation: Creates printable records for each flight

Education: Visual feedback helps understand weight and balance relationships

Flexibility: Easily handles unusual loading scenarios or multiple configurations

Technical requirements

• Google Sheets (free Google account)
• Compatible with Excel (minor formatting differences)
• Mobile-friendly for use on tablets in cockpit
• Cloud-based for access from any device
• Automatic version control and backup

Credit and acknowledgment

A special shoutout to the contributors for developing this invaluable tool. Whether you're a student pilot or an experienced CFI, this spreadsheet is a must-have in your flight planning toolkit, ensuring you stay within safe operational limits every time you take to the skies.