[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 248 (Wednesday, December 28, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page ]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-31912]
[Federal Register: December 28, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
[AC 120-27C]
Proposed Revision to Advisory Circular--Aircraft Weight and
Balance Control
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of availability of proposed advisory circular (AC), and
request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of proposed AC 120-27C,
Aircraft Weight and Balance Control, for review and public comments.
The proposed AC 120-27C provides guidance on acceptable means, but not
the only means, for certain certificate holders to obtain approval of a
weight and balance control system.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 27, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Copies of proposed AC 120-27C can be obtained from and
comments may be returned to: Federal Aviation Administrtion, Flight
Standards National Field Office, P.O. Box 20034, Washington, DC 20041;
telephone (703) 661-0333, extension 5009.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Benjamin J. Burton, Jr., Federal
Aviation Administration, Aircraft Maintenance Division, AFS-300, 800
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone (202) 267-
3797.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to comment on the proposed AC 120-
27C by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they desire
to the address specified above. Commenters must identify the title of
the proposed AC and submit comments, in duplicate, to the address
specified above. All communications received on or before the closing
date for comments will be considered by the Flight Standards National
Field Office before issuing the final AC.
Comments received on the proposed AC 120-27C may be examined before
and after the comment closing date at the Federal Aviation
Administration, Flight Standards National Field Office, Gateway
Building, suite 131, Washington Dulles International Airport,
Washington, DC 20041; weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., except on
Federal holidays.
Background
On October 25, 1990, the FAA issued AC 120-27B, Aircraft Weight and
Balance Control, which canceled AC 120-27A, Aircraft Weight and Balance
Control, dated May 14, 1980. The FAA requested that the Aviation
Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC) review the existing methods by
which standard weights for passengers, carry-on baggage, and checked
baggage are established and recommend any necessary revisions to AC
120-27B. The ARAC was chartered in February 1991, to provide
recommendations to the FAA on issues related to aviation safety.
Discussion
Based on the ARAC's recommendations, the FAA proposes to revise AC
120-27B as AC 120-27C. Proposed AC 120-27C recommends standard average
passenger weights for conventional airline adult passenger groups (60
percent male/40 percent female mix), male passenger groups, and female
passenger groups. The recommended adult passenger group averages
provide for two types of operations: (1) Aircraft used by airlines that
permit carry-on baggage; and (2) Aircraft with limited cabin stowage
capability (i.e., aircraft used by regional airlines) where approved
carry-on baggage programs limit each passenger to one carry-on bag.
Please note that the weight table recommended by ARAC for aircraft with
limited cabin stowage did not contain the three explanatory paragraphs
included in the FAA proposal. The FAA has determined that these
paragraphs are necessary to fully explain the requirements that must be
met in order to use this table.
Proposed AC 120-27C also recommends new standard average weights
for crewmembers, baggage loaded on domestic flights, baggage loaded on
international flights, and baggage loaded on flights by supplemental
operators.
Appendix 1 of the proposed AC 120-27C provides guidance on
acceptable methods for an operator to conduct surveys and to establish
male/female ratios of passenger groups or standard average weights of
passengers, checked baggage, carry-on baggage, mail, or other normal
items in that operator's approved weight and balance control system.
Issued in Washington, DC, on December 20, 1994.
William J. White,
Acting Director, Flight Standards Service.
[FR Doc. 94-31912 Filed 12-27-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M
