Div 241 Maximum loading weights

Division 24.1 Maximum loading weights

24.01 Purpose

For subregulation 131.445 (2), this Division prescribes the circumstances and the method for calculating the maximum weight of a Part 131 aircraft for a flight.

24.02 Circumstances and methods for calculating maximum weight

(1) For paragraph 131.445 (2) (a), the circumstances are before the Part 131 aircraft takes off for the flight.

Note Under regulation 131.450, a balloon transport operator’s exposition must include procedures for loading a Part 131 aircraft for a flight.

(2) For paragraph 131.445 (2) (b), the method used to calculate the maximum weight of the Part 131 aircraft for the flight is this: the maximum weight is calculated by considering, and then taking into account, the following factors in order to arrive at the maximum weight:

(a) any aircraft loading system specified by the aircraft manufacturer;

(b) the ambient temperature and altitude at the launch site and planned landing sites;

(c) the planned maximum altitude for the flight;

(d) the combined weight of all persons on board;

(e) the weight of fuel or ballast on board;

(f) the weight of any equipment or cargo carried on board.

Note CAO 100.96 places requirements on pilots and operators relating to the initial and subsequent establishment of the empty weight of certain Part 131 aircraft.

(3) For paragraph (2) (d), the combined weight of all persons on board may be determined by using 1 of the following:

(a) for a passenger or a crew member — the actual clothed-body weight of the person, as measured by a crew member, or as declared by the person;

Note Operators are reminded that under paragraph 131.445 (1) (a) of CASR, the aircraft must not be overloaded. Therefore, operators using declared weights must have procedures to ensure the aircraft will not be overloaded.

(b) the standard weights set out in section 24.03;

(c) for a flight that is a balloon transport operation — an exposition-derived weight, being the passenger weight calculated using procedures described in the balloon transport operator’s exposition, as in force or existing from time to time.

Note For guidance on the use of exposition-derived weight see Multi-Part Advisory Circular AC 121‑05, AC 133-04 and AC 135-08, as existing from time to time and freely available on the CASA website.

24.03 Standard weights

(1) This section prescribes standard weights for the purposes of paragraph 24.02 (3) (b).