Cessna 182T Weight and Balance Calculator

Aircraft Loading Form

Basic Empty Weight lb

Basic Empty Moment/1000

Fuel Gallons Loaded

Fuel Density lb/gal

Fuel Arm in

Maximum Fuel Gallons

Taxi And Runup Fuel gal

Planned Trip Burn gal

Front Seat Weight lb

Front Seat Arm in

Rear Passenger Weight lb

Rear Passenger Arm in

Rear Seat Cargo Weight lb

Rear Seat Cargo Arm in

Baggage A Weight lb

Baggage A Arm in

Baggage A Limit lb

Baggage B Weight lb

Baggage B Arm in

Baggage B Limit lb

Baggage C Weight lb

Baggage C Arm in

Baggage C Limit lb

Combined A+B+C Limit lb

Combined B+C Limit lb

Maximum Ramp Weight lb

Maximum Takeoff Weight lb

Maximum Landing Weight lb

Envelope Weight Point 1 lb

Forward Arm Point 1 in

Envelope Weight Point 2 lb

Forward Arm Point 2 in

Envelope Weight Point 3 lb

Forward Arm Point 3 in

Aft CG Limit in

Formula Used

Moment = Weight × Arm

Total Weight = Sum of all station weights

Total Moment = Sum of all station moments

Center of Gravity = Total Moment ÷ Total Weight

Taxi fuel and trip fuel are subtracted at the entered fuel arm. The ramp case includes all loaded fuel. The takeoff case removes taxi and runup fuel. The landing case also removes planned trip fuel burn.

How To Use This Calculator

Enter the current basic empty weight and moment from the aircraft record.
Enter fuel gallons, density, and fuel arm.
Add passenger, cargo, and baggage weights.
Confirm station arms against the approved aircraft data.
Set ramp, takeoff, landing, and baggage limits.
Press calculate and review every warning.
Export CSV or PDF after the final check.

Example Data Table

Item	Example Weight	Example Arm	Example Moment
Basic Empty Aircraft	1924 lb	36.85 in	70,900 lb-in
Fuel	384 lb	46.50 in	17,856 lb-in
Front Seats	340 lb	37.00 in	12,580 lb-in
Rear Seats	200 lb	74.00 in	14,800 lb-in
Baggage A	100 lb	97.00 in	9,700 lb-in

About This Calculator

A Cessna 182T weight and balance review checks more than total pounds. It also checks where those pounds act along the fuselage. The calculator separates empty aircraft data, seats, baggage areas, fuel, taxi fuel, and planned burn. It then builds ramp, takeoff, and landing cases. This helps a pilot see how loading changes as fuel is burned.

Why Weight And Balance Matters

An aircraft can be under maximum weight and still be outside the center of gravity envelope. A forward center can increase control force and landing speed. An aft center can reduce stability and recovery margin. Both conditions matter during climb, cruise, approach, and go around. That is why each station uses an arm value, not weight alone.

Editable Aircraft Data

The default entries are sample values for a 182T style setup. They are not a replacement for an aircraft record. Empty weight, empty moment, equipment, avionics, paint, and repairs change the actual numbers. Always enter the latest basic empty weight and moment from the current weight and balance report.

Fuel And Baggage Planning

Fuel weight is calculated from gallons and selected density. The standard planning value is often six pounds per gallon for aviation gasoline. The fuel arm is editable. Taxi and runup fuel is removed before the takeoff case. Planned trip burn is removed before the landing case. The tool also checks baggage area limits and combined baggage limits.

Interpreting The Result

The result table shows weight, moment, and center of gravity for each phase. A status line compares each phase with the entered maximum weights and the simplified envelope limits. When any warning appears, reduce load, move baggage, change fuel, or revise the mission. Use the official envelope for final dispatch decisions.

Practical Use

Use this page during preflight planning, student training, and loading discussions. Save the CSV for records. Save the PDF for a trip folder. Recalculate after every passenger, baggage, or fuel change. Good loading discipline makes performance estimates more useful and keeps every flight review structured.

Important Limits

This calculator uses a simple line envelope. It is useful for screening loads. It cannot certify a flight. Check placards, supplements, unusable fuel notes, and your approved handbook before release or dispatch.

FAQs

Is this calculator approved for flight dispatch?

No. It is a planning and training tool. Use the current approved handbook, equipment list, and aircraft weight records for final operational decisions.

What is an arm?

An arm is the distance from the aircraft datum to a loading station. It is measured in inches aft or forward of the datum.

What is a moment?

A moment is weight multiplied by arm. It shows how strongly an item affects the aircraft center of gravity.

Why are ramp and takeoff weights different?

Ramp weight includes fuel used for engine start, taxi, and runup. Takeoff weight subtracts that taxi fuel from the loaded condition.

Which fuel density should I use?

Six pounds per gallon is commonly used for aviation gasoline planning. Enter another density when your approved data or local procedure requires it.

Can I change the station arms?

Yes. The fields are editable because aircraft configuration, seat position, and baggage placement can change the correct arm value.

What means outside the envelope?

It means the calculated center of gravity is forward or aft of the entered limit. Adjust the load before relying on the result.

Why export CSV or PDF?

CSV helps with spreadsheets and records. PDF gives a simple trip file report that can be saved after final review.