Aircraft are weighed either on a weigh bridge or more commonly with a load cell at each jacking point. With the aircraft on the load cells, the masses measured by each cell are then entered into the schedule. The moments are calculated and the Basic Empty Mass and Centre of Gravity position are then declared on the schedule.

The weighing process and production of weighing documentation must be carried out either by the aircraft manufacturer or by an approved maintainance organisation.

When weighing an aircraft, normal precautions should be taken consistent with good practices such as:

(1) checking for completeness of the aircraft and equipment;

(2) determining that fluids are properly accounted for;

(3) ensuring that the aircraft is clean; and

(4) ensuring that weighing is accomplished in an enclosed building.

NOTE:

Basic Empty Mass (BEM) is the mass of an aircraft plus standard items such as: unusable fuel and other unusable fluids; lubricating oil in engine and auxiliary units; fire extinguishers; pyrotechnics; emergency oxygen equipment; supplementary electronic equipment.