Type of flight Baggage standard mass
Domestic 11 kg 25 lb
International and non-scheduled 14 kg 30 lb
Table B4 - AC 120-27C Standard check baggage weights
When passengers belong to a very specific group such as athletic squads, soccer teams… the actual weight of the group should be retained.
Similarly to JAA and FAA requests, airlines have to adopt standard weights unless they request different values, which would have to be proven by a weighing survey at the risk of ending up with higher statistics. Regional exceptions would be allowed when substantiated by means of an accepted methodology.
3.4.1.1.4. Impact on monitored aircraft performance
The impact of these regulatory stipulations on cruise mileage is evident. An underestimation of the aircraft gross weight is considered to result in an apparent increase of fuel used and in a decrease of specific range. It causes apparent airframe degradation. A bias on the analysis result is often observed.
3.4.1.2. Airframe maintenance and aerodynamic deterioration
One of the penalties in terms of fuel mileage is an increased drag due to the poor airframe condition of the aircraft. Normal aerodynamic deterioration of an aircraft over a given period of time can include incomplete retraction of moving surfaces, or surface deterioration due to bird strikes or damages repairs. Each deterioration induces increased drag and as a consequence increased fuel consumption.
The induced fuel burn penalty largely depends on the location of the drag-inducing item. These items can be classified in several groups, depending on their location on the aircraft. The aircraft can be split into three main areas from the most critical one to the less critical one. This zones depend on the aircraft type. The complete description of these zones is given in a separate Airbus brochure (refer to Chapter J-Bibliography, document [J-3]).
Routine aircraft performance monitoring performed using the Airbus APM program can help detecting a poor aircraft surface condition. Although APM results have to be interpreted with lots of care, it can trigger an alarm for induced drag increase. Of course, this approach is a first step approach that can be confirmed by means of a visual inspection of the aircraft surface, and though direct measurements in the suspected area as detailed in the Airplane Maintenance Manual (AMM).
Flight Operations & Line Assistance Getting to Grips with Aircraft Performance Monitoring
BACKGROUND
If the APM program is not used but another method, it could be worth implementing an aerodynamic inspection for example at the occasion of a C check.
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