Scales

[swoeric]

Looking for scales, I am wondering how my plane really weighs out and thinking about adding some stuff but i would really like to know my cg first.

I live in NE Oklahoma Grand lake area. does anybody know of scales int he surrounding area or Oklahoma period that i could use

[flyguy]

Re: Scales

Just finished helping a friend here to weigh his aircraft. We used a pair of scales that he purchased on sale at Target. They were only $20 each and go up to 400 lbs. These are the very thin bathroom type scale made of a glass plate (really) on four small feet.

We did a simple calibration check on them against 3 other scales and they are quite good. The two matched each other to within 1/10th of a lb. (I couldn't believe that either) These are electronic and I would guess they are load cell type. Appear to be 4 sensors, one on each foot. Yep, they are made in China.

The last time I checked similar "aircraft" scales they were $2500 for a set.

Maybe you can find a pair of these, they worked perfect.
DC

[swoeric]

Re: Scales

I happen to know the very model i have one in my bathroom, is up to 400 pounds sufficient

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Scales

At $20 each you could put two under each main tire with a bridge between them (just remember to add the readouts and subtract the weight of the bridge). I don't know how much the late models of the "T" weighed but 400# per main would work for mine empty. I would need to use two per main to do a fully loaded Gross Weight measure (to verify MY CG location and the CG of the fuel and find the real location of the baggage....Yea, I'm that anal).
Can you post the details and maybe a picture of the scales? I just may have to visit Wally. $60 to do a full spectrum weight analysis is too good to resist!
Hank

By the way, anytime you weigh your plane, check for LATERAL weight distribution too, empty, solo and with your honey. You just might find out why you do slow turns hands off and she is NEVER going to tell you what she REALLY weighs! Don't get caught knowing her weight! I did a back analysis of Debbie's Weight Watcher food points once and calculated her weight. She was NOT amused! And she is NOT FAT! Married 37 years this December and she still won't tell me what she weighs.

[3Dreaming]

Re: Scales

Do you have any dirt track stock car racers around? Sometimes they have scales to set up the cars. Tom

[flyguy]

Re: Scales

You can even do the whole thing with one scale with a little extra effort. Boy that is cheap. I'll check and see where they were bought for sure. Can post a pic. The aircraft is an Avid Flyer.
DC

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Scales

OR you could stop by Alliance. We have electronic ones that we just used on a Taylorcraft; an Affordaplane and last week the WACO 9. I too have used the 300# scales with bridge , checked against a calibrated one at the feed mill.

[astjp2]

Re: Scales

I just bought a set of new digital scales, they weight about 70#, I have not even used them yet. I have to weigh an F-19 in the next few weeks. If you want to borrow them, send me an PM. Tim

[flyguy]

Re: Scales

I just edited my reply above. The 400lb scales came from Target. They are made by Conair, model WW24B. Confirmed they are 1/10 lb resolution. They are on sale (just at this store?) for $20. The good news is that they are only $26 regular price.
I just picked up 2 for myself and weighed the 12D-85 this afternoon. Rather tricky by myself.
These two show my body weight as exactly the same to 1/10th lb like the other pair that my friend has. My home digital scale and these two agree within .2 lbs. at my body weight.

As for the weigh in, I found, just as I suspected that the plane is quite a bit heavier than the records show.
I had commented before that it looked as if, after installing battery box and battery, radio, switch panel, strobe, bigger tires and a second coat of silver and paint, the AI that owned the plane had just copied the old weight numbers.

My figures come to 63 lbs heavier empty weight. So much for hauling a passenger. Me and full fuel and I have 8 lbs left over.

No pix for now Hank, my digital camera is on strike.

Anyway those things worked really well for me.
DC

[swoeric]

Re: Scales

I think i Will go with the bathroom scales since i already have one. how do i go about leveling the plane what is my reference

[flyguy]

Re: Scales

Horizontal stabilizer.

If you are going to do this kind of thing I would suggest you purchase the Taylorcraft Service Manual, and the Taylorcraft Owners Manual. Univair, and Flying Books? Good investment regardless of what you are going to do.

DC

[M Towsley]

Re: Scales

Thought I would resurrect this thread for a moment as I saw an EAA video where they used Computerscales for weighing an aircraft. They come in all sorts of weights and sizes, (and prices)!!! Not cheap, if you bought a set you would want to rent them out to recoup your cost. Just throwing this out there for anyone who may be interested. I think I will use the digital scales like explained above when I get around to doing a new W&B.

This is the main page for the scales: http://www.longacreracing.com/catalo...st.asp?catid=1

And a couple of their, (cheaper), scales: http://www.longacreracing.com/catalo...d=1407&catid=1

http://www.longacreracing.com/catalog/item.asp?id=1261&catid=1

http://www.longacreracing.com/catalog/item.asp?id=1484&catid=1

[astjp2]

Re: Scales

I have a set of the longacre scales, weighed a taylorcraft last month in 30 minutes. It took longer to get all of the measurements for the arms than to actually weight. The TCDS said the tailwheel is 197 inches and measured 201. Tim

[perryv1]

Re: Scales

OR you could stop by Alliance. We have electronic ones that we just used on a Taylorcraft; an Affordaplane and last week the WACO 9. I too have used the 300# scales with bridge , checked against a calibrated one at the feed mill.

Hey Forrest,Whos sitting in the chair behind you?
Someone to keep you working?

[Robert Lees]

Re: Scales

I have a set of the longacre scales, weighed a taylorcraft last month in 30 minutes. It took longer to get all of the measurements for the arms than to actually weight. The TCDS said the tailwheel is 197 inches and measured 201. Tim

Yes, it is important to actually measure your arms & NOT use the TCDS values.