UAM.POL.VCA.145 Mass and balance data, and mass and balance documentation

(a)The IAM operator shall establish mass and balance data and shall produce mass and balance documentation prior to each flight, specifying the load and its distribution. The mass and balance documentation shall enable the PIC to determine that the load and its distribution is such that the mass and balance limits of the aircraft are not exceeded. The mass and balance documentation shall contain the following information:

(1)VCA registration and type;

(2)flight identification, number and date;

(3)full name of the PIC;

(4)full name of the person that has prepared the documentation;

(5)dry operating mass and the corresponding CG of the aircraft;

(6)mass of the fuel or energy storage unit at take-off, and the mass of trip fuel;

(7)mass of consumables other than fuel, if applicable;

(8)traffic load components, including passengers, baggage, freight and ballast;

(9)take-off mass, landing mass, and zero fuel mass;

(10)applicable aircraft CG positions; and

(11)the limiting mass and CG values. The information above shall be available in flight-planning documents or in mass and balance systems.

(b)When mass and balance data and mass and balance documentation are generated by a computerised mass and balance system, the operator shall:

(1)verify the integrity of the output data to ensure that the data is within the AFM limitations; and

(2)specify the instructions and procedures for its use in its operations manual (OM).

(c)The person that supervises the loading of the aircraft shall confirm by handwritten signature or equivalent that the load and its distribution are in accordance with the mass and balance documentation given to the PIC. The PIC shall indicate their acceptance by handwritten signature or equivalent.

(d)The IAM operator shall specify procedures for last-minute changes to the load to ensure that:

(1)any last-minute change following the completion of the mass and balance documentation is brought to the attention of the PIC and entered in the flight-planning documents containing the mass and balance documentation;

(2)the maximum last-minute change allowed in passenger numbers or hold load is specified; and

(3)new mass and balance documentation is prepared if the maximum passenger number is exceeded.