Mass (Weight) and Balance Control

Duration (hours)

Trainees without previous aviation experience	27
Trainees with previous aviation experience	15

1.    Introduction to mass and balance 
2.    Load planning 
3.    Calculation of payload and loadsheet preparation 
4.    Aircraft balance and longitudinal stability 
5.    Moments and balance
6.    The structural aspects of aircraft loading
7.    Dangerous goods and other special cargo
8.    Issuing loading instructions

Mass (Weight) and Balance Control introduces learners to the essential principles and procedures that ensure an aircraft is safely loaded and properly balanced for flight. The course begins with an introduction to mass and balance, establishing why accurate weight distribution is critical to aircraft performance and safety. Students then explore the fundamentals of load planning, learning how cargo, passengers, and fuel are arranged to meet operational and regulatory requirements.

The curriculum continues with the calculation of payload and the preparation of loadsheets, giving learners practical experience in documenting and verifying loading data. This leads into a study of aircraft balance and longitudinal stability, where students examine how the center of gravity affects controllability and performance. Concepts of moments and balance are further developed to show how individual load items contribute to overall aircraft stability.

Structural aspects of aircraft loading are also addressed, emphasizing the limitations of cargo compartments, floor strength, and tie‑down requirements. The course then covers dangerous goods and other special cargo, highlighting the regulations and precautions necessary for handling and transporting such items safely. Finally, students learn how to issue loading instructions, ensuring that ground personnel, flight crews, and dispatchers work from clear, accurate, and compliant loading information.