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The article states the following about the software: >"It delivers a message to the cockpit with crucial weight and balance data, including how many people are

The article states the following about the software: >"It delivers a message to the cockpit with crucial weight and balance data, including how many people are on board, the jet’s empty and gross weight and the position of its center of gravity. >In a cockpit check before takeoff, this data is entered into the flight computer to determine how much thrust the engines will provide and at what speed the jet will be ready to lift off." Given that overhead bins are regularly maxed out with carry-on luggage now since airlines began charging for checked bags, how are they able to accurately account for the weight and balance? Airlines seem to almost never weigh customers carry-on at check in.

ceejayoz 4y ago
"Regularly maxed-out" translates to "fairly predictable". If the 20 people in first class all have 500 pounds of uranium each they've snuck onboard, you have a problem, but otherwise, there's plenty of wiggle room to account for minor variability of this kind. They'll have a decent idea of the average weight of the average passenger (https://airinsight.com/the-pending-new-faa-weight-balance-rules/ https://airinsight.com/the-pending-new-faa-weight-balance-ru...). If you're chartered by an anorexia treatment facility to move 300 patients, you may put a little extra attention to the exact values. > The new FAA standards will increase an average adult passenger and carry-on bag weight to 190 pounds in the summer and 195 pounds in the winter. Up 12% from 170 pounds and 175 pounds, respectively. This includes an extra ten pounds for winter and five pounds for summer. This also includes 16 pounds for personal items, up from ten. Airlines must increase the average weight of female passengers and their carry-ons from 145 pounds to 179 pounds in summer, and from 150 pounds to 184 pounds in winter. The average weight for males with carry-ons is increased from 185 pounds in summer to 200 pounds, and from 190 pounds to 205 pounds in winter.

ceejayoz 4y ago

"Regularly maxed-out" translates to "fairly predictable". If the 20 people in first class all have 500 pounds of uranium each they've snuck onboard, you have a problem, but otherwise, there's plenty of wiggle room to account for minor variability of this kind. They'll have a decent idea of the average weight of the average passenger (https://airinsight.com/the-pending-new-faa-weight-balance-rules/ https://airinsight.com/the-pending-new-faa-weight-balance-ru...). If you're chartered by an anorexia treatment facility to move 300 patients, you may put a little extra attention to the exact values. > The new FAA standards will increase an average adult passenger and carry-on bag weight to 190 pounds in the summer and 195 pounds in the winter. Up 12% from 170 pounds and 175 pounds, respectively. This includes an extra ten pounds for winter and five pounds for summer. This also includes 16 pounds for personal items, up from ten. Airlines must increase the average weight of female passengers and their carry-ons from 145 pounds to 179 pounds in summer, and from 150 pounds to 184 pounds in winter. The average weight for males with carry-ons is increased from 185 pounds in summer to 200 pounds, and from 190 pounds to 205 pounds in winter.