Commercial and Business Aviation Advisory Circulars

Air Operator Weight and Balance Control Procedures
Subparts 703/704/705 of the Canadian Aviation Regulations

INTRODUCTION

This Commercial & Business Aviation Advisory Circular (CBAAC) is to inform Canadian air operators that the average passenger weights as published in the Aeronautical Information Publication (A.I.P. Canada) will be revised January 20, 2005.

APPLICABILITY

This CBAAC is applicable to all air operators operating under Subparts 703/704/705 of the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs).

REFERENCES

• Section 703.37 of the CARs and Section 723.37 of the Commercial Air Services Standards (CASS);
• Section 704.32 of the CARs and Section 724.32 of the CASS;
• Section 705.39 of the CARs and Section 725.39 of the CASS.

BACKGROUND

Many air operators under Subparts 703/704/705 of the CARs use the Standard Average Passenger Weight published in the A.I.P. Canada. This may result in inconsistencies between the aircraft weight on the weight and balance report and the actual weight of the aircraft once loaded.

Recent accidents, both in Canada and the United States (U.S.) have involved discrepancies between the actual weight and the weight recorded on the weight and balance report.

The Federal Aviation Administration has undertaken a review of the aircraft and passenger/cargo weight and balance guidance material in the U.S. and has recently released Advisory Circular AC 120-27D. This document provides guidance, and limitations on the use of standard average weights.

Transport Canada (TC) is reviewing the current standards for weight and balance control programs with a view to requiring the use of actual weights for all operations conducted under Subpart 3 of Part VII (703) of the CARs. Any proposed amendments to the CARs will be processed in accordance with the Canadian Aviation Regulation Advisory Council process.

In order to address the overall passenger weight issue in a timely fashion, TC has obtained average Canadian weight data from Statistics Canada. The Canadian Community Health Survey Cycle 2.1, 2003, forms the basis for updating the average Canadian weights, as they will appear in the A.I.P. Canada.

TC requires the Company Operations Manual (COM) to be tailored to the individual air operator’s type of Weight and Balance Control System and this program to be approved by the Principal Operations Inspector.

POLICY DEVELOPMENT/ACTION

The referenced regulations prohibit the operation of an aircraft unless the load restrictions, weight and centre of gravity of the aircraft conform to the limitations specified in the aircraft flight manual, during every phase of the flight.

The referenced standards provide a means of compliance with the regulation. The standard is not intended to provide relief from the regulations.

It is important to note that Sections 723.37/724.32/725.39 of the CASS states: “The weight and balance system required by Sections 703.37/704.32/ 705.39 of the Canadian Aviation Regulations shall specify for each flight how the air operator will establish and be responsible for the accuracy of: …
(3) weight of passengers, carry-on baggage and checked baggage, determined either by actual weight, by using approved standard weights or by using approved survey weights, and the actual weight of cargo.”

Based on the above, it is reasonable to expect air operators to have a means of ensuring that the method used to determine passenger weights for any flight will be accurate.

"The revisions to the A.I.P. Canada average passenger weights are summarized in the chart below. These weights will come into effect with the A.I.P. Canada amendment effective January 20, 2005. Operators using the A.I.P. Canada average weights are expected to amend their weight and balance systems to include the new average weights by no later than January 20, 2005."

(Note:  These average weights are derived from a Statistics Canada Survey, Canadian Community Health Survey Cycle 2.1, 2003)

* Add where the number of infants exceeds 10% of the number of adults

On any flight identified as carrying a number of passengers whose weights, including carry-on baggage will exceed the company approved standard weights, or the A.I.P. Canada published average weights, the actual weight of such passengers are to be used.

Where no carry-on baggage is permitted or involved, the A.I.P. Canada average weights for males and females may be reduced by 13 lbs or 5.9 kg.

Canadian air operators are to use one of the following procedures to meet the weight and balance control requirements for commercial operations:

1 - Actual Weights:  Weigh each passenger prior to boarding. This will include all personal belongings and carry-on baggage, as well as any infant traveling with a passenger; or

2 - Published Standard Weights:  Air operators using approved standard weights that are based upon or derived from the Published A.I.P. Canada Standard Weights as shown in Section RAC 3.5 shall update their approved standard weights to match the amended A.I.P. Canada Published Standard Weight; or

3 - Air Operator Standard Weights:  Air operators seeking to, or currently using this system, shall be required to validate average weights, which shall include carry on personal items, through an approved passenger weight survey and statistical analysis. Air operators who have completed an approved survey within the review time frame stated in their COM shall be deemed to have met this requirement. Where a review period has not been specified in the COM, air operators who have not completed an approved survey within the past five years should complete a new survey, or move to option 1 or 2.

Note:  Air operators are cautioned that when average passenger weights are used, (option 2 or 3 above) due diligence is required to ensure that the passenger weights used to calculate the passenger load accurately reflects the actual weights to be carried on any given flight.

FUTURE DISPOSITION

This CBAAC will remain in effect until further notice.

Michel Gaudreau
Director
Commercial & Business Aviation