Top 12 How Much Does A Hang Glider Weigh 10143 Good Rating This Answer

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Transport: Hang gliders typically weigh more than 50 pounds, can be carried balanced on your shoulder, and require a roof rack to transport on a vehicle; paragliders typically weigh less than 50 pounds, are carried in a backpack, and can fit inside a vehicle.Most trainer type hang gliders weigh between 40 and 55 pounds depending on the size of the hang glider. With a little bit of wind they can weigh next to nothing. There are different size gliders for different size students. Intermediate and high performance hang gliders generally weigh between 55 and 90 pounds.Glider. A new entry-level glider for beginners, such as a Wills Wing Falcon, will generally cost around $4,000. These gliders are single surface, fun, easy to set up, and easy to fly. You may be able to find a good quality, used glider from an accredited instructor or school in the $1,800 to $3,000 range.

Sample Weight and Balance Problems
Given:
Maximum gross weight 1,100 lb
Empty weight 600 lb
CG range 14.8–18.6 in
Front seat occupant 180 lb

Contents

How much does the average hang glider weigh?

Most trainer type hang gliders weigh between 40 and 55 pounds depending on the size of the hang glider. With a little bit of wind they can weigh next to nothing. There are different size gliders for different size students. Intermediate and high performance hang gliders generally weigh between 55 and 90 pounds.

How much is a hang glider worth?

Glider. A new entry-level glider for beginners, such as a Wills Wing Falcon, will generally cost around $4,000. These gliders are single surface, fun, easy to set up, and easy to fly. You may be able to find a good quality, used glider from an accredited instructor or school in the $1,800 to $3,000 range.

How much do gliders weigh?

Sample Weight and Balance Problems
Given:
Maximum gross weight 1,100 lb
Empty weight 600 lb
CG range 14.8–18.6 in
Front seat occupant 180 lb

How much do you need to weigh to hang glide?

Almost anyone can fly a hang glider. If someone can jog while balancing a 50 – 70 lb. weight on their shoulders they can learn to fly.

Is a glider heavier-than-air?

glider, nonpowered heavier-than-air craft capable of sustained flight.

How much weight can a hang glider carry?

Hang gliders weigh less than 100lbs and some can carry 200lbs. The FAI distance record is 475 miles and must have taken hours to accomplish.

How many hang gliding deaths per year?

There are approximately 5-10 glider fatalities per year in the US and approximately 15,000 active glider pilots, indicating that they bear an annual risk of about a 1-in-2,000 of being killed by participating in the sport.

How long do hang gliders last?

A well taken care of hang glider can last up to 20 years. Harnesses, when treated well, will last your entire flying career. A used PG setup, purchased from a reliable dealer or school, can be around $4,000.

How much does it cost to tow a glider?

Glider Tow Fees average $2 per 100 feet of altitude, but do often have a minimum of about $35. Release height depends on the flight objective. Emergency training such as rope break exercise with an instructor will be 400-600 feet, while pattern tows will typically be to 1,000-1,200 feet.

How long can a glider stay up?

Gliders can remain flying as long as there is lift available. Using thermals, this is about 8 hours. By using prevailing winds blowing up a slope, a glider can be flown for as long as the wind is blowing.

How fast do hang gliders go?

Hang gliders are now made of aircraft aluminum or carbon fiber, stainless steel cable and Dacron (the same material sailboat sails are made of) and weigh between 45 lbs. and 90 lbs. Although gliders normally fly between 20 and 30 mph, they can reach speeds in excess of 80 mph and have a glide ratio of up to 16:1.

Do you need a license to fly a glider?

Step 1 – Going solo

You must have your student pilot’s license to be able to carry out solo training in a glider. During this period you must be under the supervision of a glider instructor and you cannot carry a passenger. To fly solo, you must: be 14 years of age or more.

Can a glider stall?

A stall is only a hazard if it occurs at a low altitude, when flying with other gliders, or if it is allowed to develop into a spin. When the glider is stalled, it will sink rapidly.

Can you hang glide by yourself?

Although often viewed as a complex hobby to get into, hang gliding only requires 10 days of airborne tuition before the pilot is truly capable of flying solo.

Is hang gliding safer than paragliding?

Paragliding vs Hang Gliding Safety

While paragliding is easier to learn, hang gliding is actually considered to be the safer for competent pilots. The additional weight and rigid structure of a hang glider allows it to travel at higher speed and be less susceptible to wind and weather conditions.

How safe is tandem hang gliding?

They indicate the chance of dying in a hang-gliding incident is about one in 116,000 flights. That makes it more risky than scuba diving and much more so than driving a car.

Is flying a glider difficult?

So are gliders hard to fly? Flying gliders is not very difficult but does take practice. Gliding takes hand-eye coordination skills and muscle memory that the vast majority of student pilots are able to accomplish while working towards their license which requires a minimum of 20 flights and 10 flight hours.

Is a glider a good workout?

Gliders are a good form of low-impact cardio exercise that burns calories, especially for beginners. Using a glider exercise machine is a good form of cardiovascular exercise.

How much does a glider plane cost?

New, factory-built sailplanes may cost $50,000 to over $300,000 or more depending on performance, construction, and equipment.

Are gliders safer than planes?

If you could extrapolate single mode pilot certificate counts to a common usage basis, flying a glider is 2.5x safer than flying an airplane, but of course you can’t. NTSB accident count for 2017 shows 56x more airplane accidents and 90x more fatal airplane accidents than glider accidents.

How many G’s can a glider pull?

Most gliders (other than specifically fully aerobatic ones) are rated to about + 3.5 G in normal use (there’s a big additional safety factor before the wings actually fold of course!) – which does not begin to compare with fully aerobatic aircraft, fighters etc which can go +10G.

Can you fly a glider at night?

A glider can remain airborne at night in ridge lift (the duration record for a glider flight is I believe 56 hours by ridge soaring) or in mountain wave. Night flights in wave would technically be possible but the prospect of a night field landing doesn’t appeal and I’ve never heard of it being done.

How fast can a hang glider go?

Hang gliders are now made of aircraft aluminum or carbon fiber, stainless steel cable and Dacron (the same material sailboat sails are made of) and weigh between 45 lbs. and 90 lbs. Although gliders normally fly between 20 and 30 mph, they can reach speeds in excess of 80 mph and have a glide ratio of up to 16:1.

How long can hang gliders stay in air?

How long can I stay up? Gliders can remain flying as long as there is lift available. Using thermals, this is about 8 hours. By using prevailing winds blowing up a slope, a glider can be flown for as long as the wind is blowing.

How fast can a glider fly?

Amazingly, gliders. The non-powered planes can, in skilled hands, whip up a speed of over 300 mph from a relatively slow wind. That’s a velocity of around 8x the speed of the air driving it. It’s called Dynamic Soaring, or DS, and it requires some specific land and weather […]

How wide are hang gliders?

This device is a flat table, typically 40 ft (12.2 m) long and 5 ft (1.5 m) wide, with numerous small holes in the surface.


HANGGLIDING 101 – VG SYSTEM EXPLAINED
HANGGLIDING 101 – VG SYSTEM EXPLAINED


What is hang gliding and paragliding?

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flight dynamics – What is the best distance glider that can carry a 200 lb load? – Aviation Stack Exchange

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Can Anyone Hang Glide (and What About Age, Certification, and Weight)?

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How Old Do You Have to Be to Hang Glide

Do You Need a License to Fly a Hang Glider

How Much Weight Can a Hang Glider Carry

Is There a Weight Limit for Hang Gliding

How Much Do You Have to Weigh to Hang Glide

Can You Hang Glide by Yourself

Can Anyone Hang Glide (and What About Age, Certification, and Weight)?
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Can Anyone Hang Glide (and What About Age, Certification, and Weight)?

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How Old Do You Have to Be to Hang Glide

Do You Need a License to Fly a Hang Glider

How Much Weight Can a Hang Glider Carry

Is There a Weight Limit for Hang Gliding

How Much Do You Have to Weigh to Hang Glide

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Hang Gliding FAQ's For Non-Pilots
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Hang gliding – Wikipedia

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Contents

History[edit]

Components[edit]

Training and safety[edit]

Launch[edit]

Soaring flight and cross-country flying[edit]

Performance[edit]

Stability and equilibrium[edit]

Instruments[edit]

Records[edit]

Competition[edit]

Aerobatics[edit]

Comparison of gliders hang gliders and paragliders[edit]

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References[edit]

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Hang gliding vs Paragliding: What’s the Score | ProParaglide.com

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Size – Hang Glider vs Paraglider

Glide Ratio of a Paraglider vs Hang glider

Speed

Maneuverability

Safety

Conclusion- So what is the best

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What is hang gliding and paragliding?

Trying to describe the feeling of flying a hang glider is almost impossible. It’s everything you think it would be (and probably more). A recent student summed it up like this: “I’ve had dreams of flying my whole life. Hang gliding is the closest thing I’ve found to matching that feeling in my dreams. It’s the best thing I have ever done.” Or as Leonardo da Vinci said,

Once you have tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been and there you long to return.

Hang gliders have evolved from Francis Rogallo’s original flexible wing (as described in the History) into modern day flying marvels. Hang gliders are now made of aircraft aluminum or carbon fiber, stainless steel cable and Dacron (the same material sailboat sails are made of) and weigh between 45 lbs. and 90 lbs. Although gliders normally fly between 20 and 30 mph, they can reach speeds in excess of 80 mph and have a glide ratio of up to 16:1. That means they fly 16 feet forward for every foot of altitude they lose when flying in calm air. Hang gliders can withstand more G-forces than many single engine aircraft and can be folded up into a bag that is 16’-18’ long and a foot in diameter and easily transported on the roof of a car. Pilots’ prone position when flying gives hang gliding the feeling of flying like a bird.

Paragliding has a huge following all over the world, and all the equipment fits in a backpack weighing anywhere from 25-50 pounds depending on your equipment choices. This is the most practical type of aviation on the planet. Everything you need to fly fits in your backpack, which you can check onto a plane or put in the trunk of your car as you travel. The lightweight kits make it very accessible to hike to launches. Like other aviation, paragliding is dependent on weather, maturity and judgment, and the pilot’s ability to make good decisions. You can enjoy paragliding if you’re a 12 year old girl, an 80 year old man, or someone in between. Paragliding is the most practical way to live amongst the clouds and soar like a bird.

The key differences between hang gliding and paragliding

Transport : Hang gliders typically weigh more than 50 pounds, can be carried balanced on your shoulder, and require a roof rack to transport on a vehicle; paragliders typically weigh less than 50 pounds, are carried in a backpack, and can fit inside a vehicle.

: Hang gliders typically weigh more than 50 pounds, can be carried balanced on your shoulder, and require a roof rack to transport on a vehicle; paragliders typically weigh less than 50 pounds, are carried in a backpack, and can fit inside a vehicle. Set-up : Hang gliders fold up for transport and take about 15 to 20 minutes to set up and prepare to launch; paragliders are packed completely assembled and take about 5 to 10 minutes to set-up and prepare to launch.

: Hang gliders fold up for transport and take about 15 to 20 minutes to set up and prepare to launch; paragliders are packed completely assembled and take about 5 to 10 minutes to set-up and prepare to launch. Flight: Hang gliders are more streamlined and are capable of much faster speeds, improved glide ratios, and the ability to fly in stronger conditions as compared to paragliders; due to their slower speed, paragliders can typically land in much smaller fields.

In order to fly for hours and for long distances a glider needs to be able to gain altitude or, at a minimum, maintain altitude. This is a challenge since hang gliders and paragliders do not have engines. Like a giant paper airplane, once airborne, a glider is constantly being pulled down toward the ground by gravity. The only way to combat this is to get the glider into air that is rising faster than the glider is descending. The result will be that the glider is able to gain altitude or at least maintain its altitude. There are two different ways this can happen. The first is by circling the glider in a thermal, which is a column of warm rising air. The other is by flying the glider in “ridge lift” which is created when wind hits an obstruction like a mountain or hill and gets deflected up the face of it. As long as the glider stays in the upward moving air it will stay aloft, but as soon as it flies out of the upward moving air, the glider will start to gently descend again. Circling with a bird in a thermal or flying over a local mountain range is an experience that will never be forgotten.

There are many different levels on which hang gliding and paragliding can be pursued. There are those who enjoy simple top of the hill to bottom of the hill sled rides. Some enjoy soaring in smooth ridge lift. There are those who want to gain thousands of feet of altitude and fly long distances. The current world record (as of January 2018) for straight distance in paragliding is 564 kilometers (350 miles) and for hang gliding is 764 kilometers (475 miles) – set in 2012 by US pilot Dustin Martin launching from Zapata, Texas and flying nearly across the entire state! This is a sport of progressions – it is truly a lifelong sport with a lifetime of learning.

How Much Does Hang Gliding Really Cost?

On Friday, May 15th our Hang Gliding school manager and assistant manager, Wolf Gaidis and Billy Vaughn, hosted our third Free Flight Q&A. This session’s topic covered the true costs of hang gliding. If you missed our conversation, read below to find out more.

The Break Down

The most important costs when it comes to Hang Gliding, are also often the most expensive.

Training Gear Time

Training Costs

Training costs vary between schools and often depend on the level of skill you’re looking to learn. For Kitty Hawk Kites, we have a plethora of training options. For the sake of comparison, we discussed the Hang 2 packages that we offer in the Outer Banks and at Morningside Flight Park in New Hampshire.

We have designed an accelerated Hang Gliding Lesson curriculum to help get you to the Hang 2 rating if you don’t have any experience. You’ll be able to complete your foot launch requirements at Jockeys Ridge State Park. Then gain altitude and your aerotow rating with our tandem aerotow instructors at the Cotton Gin. This package costs $1999 and results in your Hang 2 rating with aerotow. This is a comprehensive Hang Gliding course that contains the classroom requirements and instruction necessary to acquire the skills toward earning USHPA Hang 2 rating. Upon completion, students will generally have received the required information to understand how and when to fly hang gliders as a novice to intermediate pilot. This course costs $1750.

Of course training takes time. Not just the lessons you take with your instructor, but also the research you do on your own time. There are several books available to help expand your knowledge of the sport. We also recommend taking time to understand the weather forecast and how temperature, wind direction, and wind speed affect your flights.

The Cost of Gear

Gear will be your biggest expense on your journey to becoming a hang gliding pilot. We recommend training in the gear you plan on flying in, if possible. These will be the necessary flying gear to get you started and keep you safe.

Glider Harness Parachute Helmet

Glider A new entry-level glider for beginners, such as a Wills Wing Falcon, will generally cost around $4,000. These gliders are single surface, fun, easy to set up, and easy to fly. You may be able to find a good quality, used glider from an accredited instructor or school in the $1,800 to $3,000 range.

Harness A new, fully enclosed pod harness (like the one shown) typically costs about $1,000. These will keep you warm in cold air.

In comparison, a new cocoon harness runs around $750 and features an open back that allows you to be open to the wind. It is possible to purchase a used harness for around $250 to $300. However, the harness will not be custom fit to your body and thus will be less comfortable.

When buying used gear, we recommend going through an accredited school or a respected and certified instructor.

Parachute The cost of a parachute varies depending on the size you need. They run about $650 to $700. We recommend parachutes with a pull down apex (like the one shown) and a paraswivel to keep the lines from getting tangled. We do not recommend buying a used parachute.

Helmet Helmets vary greatly depending on the features that you want and can cost anywhere from $75 to $500. One major consideration will be whether you want a full-face (like the one pictured) or an open-face helmet. A full-face helmet offers more protection, especially for your chin and jay, but is generally more expensive than an open-face helmet. The next most common consideration is a radio. Some helmets can be equipped with a radio and headset inside the helmet and may be required by your instructor.

An entirely new set up will typically cost upwards of $5,500, while a used set up is closer to $3,500. Combined with training, you are looking at a cost range between $5,000 and $8,000.

Hidden Costs

Of course the costs of hang gliding are not completely straight forwards, so there are some hidden costs to consider.

When going to new locations to fly, there is often a site fee. This helps to maintain the location and keep the launch and landing zone nice for every pilot. Site fees vary from location to location but generally run around $25 for a week. Some locations also offer rides up the mountain. So unless you want to carry your glider up to top before every flight, factor in the cost of a ride card as well.

Travel is also a common hidden cost. Packing a hang glider on top of your car often causes your car to run less efficiently and will increase your gas costs.

Another not-so-hidden cost is advanced instruction. Hang Gliding schools and clubs will often host clinics to help provide their students with more information. Sometimes these even feature advanced pilots and a new perspective to learn from. While not required to become a better pilot, clinics can help advance your skill quickly with this more detailed instruction on specific topics. Common clinics that we recommend attending cover landings and flight planning. Some clinics also cover more advanced flying like competition and cross country.

Often along your journey to becoming a hang gliding pilot. you may develop a mentor/mentee relationship with a local pilot or instructor. This relationship will help you to become a better pilot and will give you a strong connection to the local club and the general hang gliding pilot community. When you have a mentor showing you the ropes, make sure you show them your appreciation. Offer to buy him dinner, a beer, or a tank of gas. This will go a long way in ensuring you become part of the local pilot community.

Mitigating Costs

With all these dollar signs floating around, it can be a little prohibitive to get into hang gliding. There are ways you can lower these costs a bit.

A common cost lowering practice is your roof rack set up. Several pilots DIY their roof rack with a ladder and some pool noodles. Reach out to your local school, club, or instructor to give you tips on the best set up for your car.

When traveling to your launch site, many locations have camping sites nearby which can save you money when compared to booking a hotel. And as always, a good way to split costs when traveling is carpooling. This may not be possible currently with COVID-19 still being a concern. But hopefully, that concern won’t be around in the near future.

Some schools and clubs will also offer gear to rent for around $75 to $100 until you save up for your own equipment.

As we stated earlier, you can buy some used gear. Make sure you get your gear through a reputable source like an accredited instructor or school.

Another factor to consider when purchasing hang gliding gear is the resale value, specifically that of your glider. For example, Wills Wing Falcons retain their value well over the years.

Questions & Answers

1. At what rating would you buy a parachute?

As soon as you buy your own harness. When you fly in your harness, a parachute will change how the harness feels.

2. Where can you buy a helmet?

In most cases, you will have to order online. Some schools will have a limited stock of helmets to sell. Either way, talk with your instructor on reputable brands and online stores. They will also be able to help you measure your head and order the best size helmet for you.

3. Can I use my motorcycle helmet?

You can. BUT, your neck will get tired very quickly from the weight of the helmet.

4. What would you buy if you had an unlimited budget?

Wolf: Wills Wing Sport 3, Wills Wing Flylight Coccoon, Lara 250 parachute, Aeros Full-face Helmet.

Billy: most of the same as Wolf except I would choose either a Wills Wing Falcon or an Alpha.

5. How do you judge the age and quality of a used glider?

Most have an air time listed in hours. Also, take into account that sunshine ages gliders and wears down the sail. So a glider thats been kept in a bag in the garage will be in better condition than one that’s been set up and sitting outside between flights. Make sure you put your hands on the sail. A sail in good condition will feel crispy.

6. What spare parts should you carry with you?

The most commonly damaged part of the glider is the down tubes. So, we recommend keeping a spare down tube with you and a bag of extra nuts, bolts, safetys, and batten clips for quick fixes or a case of butterfingers. Any damage more extensive than that will require a full inspection.

Next Session

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Glider Weight and Balance

Center of Gravity

Longitudinal balance affects the stability of the longitudinal axis of the glider. To achieve satisfactory pitch attitude handling in a glider, the CG of the properly loaded glider is forward of the center of pressure (CP). When a glider is produced, the manufacturer provides glider CG limitations, which require compliance. These limitations are generally found in the GFM/ POH and may also be found in the glider airframe logbook. Addition or removal of equipment, such as radios, batteries, or flight instruments, or airframe repairs can have an effect on the CG position. Aviation maintenance technicians (AMTs) must record any changes in the weight and balance data in the GFM/POH or glider airframe logbook. Weight and balance placards in the cockpit must also be updated.

Problems Associated With CG Forward of Forward Limit

If the CG is within limits, pitch attitude control stays within acceptable limits. However, if the glider is loaded so the CG is forward of the forward limit, handling is compromised. The glider is said to be nose heavy. Nose heaviness makes it difficult to raise the nose on takeoff and considerable back pressure on the control stick is required to control the pitch attitude. Tail stalls occur at airspeeds higher than normal and are followed by a rapid nose-down pitch tendency. Restoring a normal flight attitude during stall recoveries takes longer. The landing flare is more difficult than normal, or perhaps even impossible, due to nose heaviness. Inability to flare could result in a hard nose-first landing.

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The following are the most common reasons for CG forward of forward limit:

Pilot weight exceeds the maximum permitted pilot weight.

Seat or nose ballast weights are installed but are not required due to the weight of the pilot.

Problems Associated With CG Aft of Aft Limit

If the glider is loaded so the CG location is behind the aft limit, handling is compromised. The glider is said to be tail heavy. Tail heaviness can make pitch control of the glider difficult or even impossible.

The fundamental problem with a CG aft of the aft limit is the designed function of the horizontal stabilizer and elevator. Fixed wing aircraft are generally designed so that the horizontal stabilizer and elevator provide a down force to counter the slightly nose forward CG such that the aircraft tend to resume a level pitch attitude after an upset about the lateral axis. As the airspeed changes, the pilot changes the trim or trims the aircraft so the down force exactly balances the forward CG within limits. Should the aircraft be upset and the nose pitches upward, the resultant slower airspeed results in less down force produced by the horizontal stabilizer and elevator. This decreased down force lets the nose lower so the airspeed retains to the pre-upset value. This is called positive stability. Conversely, if the upset places the aircraft in a nose down attitude, the increased airspeed will increase the down force and raise the nose to the pre-upset balanced condition. However, if the control surface is in a stalled condition, this stabilizing action will not begin until the control surface regains un-stalled airflow and begins producing down force again.

The following are the most common reasons for flight with CG located behind permissible limits:

Pilot weight is less than the specified minimum pilot seat weight and trim ballast weights necessary for the lightweight pilot are not installed in the glider prior to flight.

Tailwheel dolly is still attached, far aft on the tailboom of the glider.

Foreign matter or debris (water, ice, mud, sand, and nests) has accumulated in the aft fuselage of the glider and was not discovered and removed prior to flight.

A heavy, non-approved tailwheel or tail skid was installed on the aft tail boom of the glider.

Sample Weight and Balance Problems

Some glider manufacturers provide weight and balance information in a graphic presentation. A well designed graph provides a convenient way to determine whether the glider is within weight and balance limitations.

In Figure 5-19, the chart indicates that the minimum weight for the front seat pilot is 125 pounds, and that the maximum is 250 pounds. It also indicates that the maximum rear seat pilot weight is 225 pounds. If each pilot weighs 150 pounds, the intersection of pilot weights falls within the envelope; the glider load is within the envelope and is safe for flight. If each pilot weighs 225 pounds, the rear seat maximum load is exceeded, and the glider load is outside the envelope and unsafe for flight.

The CG position can also be determined by calculation using the following formulas:

Weight × Arm = Moment

Total Moment ÷ Total Weight = CG Position (in inches aft of the reference datum)

The computational method involves the application of basic math functions. The following is an example of the computational method.

Given: Maximum gross weight 1,100 lb Empty weight 600 lb CG range 14.8–18.6 in Front seat occupant 180 lb Rear seat occupant 200 lb

To determine the loaded weight and CG, follow these steps.

List the empty weight of the glider and the weight of the occupants. Enter the moment for each item listed. Remember, weight × arm = moment. To simplify calculations, the moments may be divided by 100. Total the weight and moments. To determine the CG, divide the moments by the weight.

NOTE: The weight and balance records for a particular glider provide the empty weight and moment, as well as the information on the arm distance. [Figure 5-20]

In Figure 5-20, the weight of each pilot has been entered into the correct block in the table. For the front seat pilot, multiplying 180 pounds by +30 inches yields a moment of +5,400 inch·pounds. For the rear seat pilot, multiplying 200 pounds by –5 inches yields a moment of –1,000 inch·pounds. The next step is to find the sum of all weights (980 pounds) and record it. Then, find the sum of all moments (+16,400 inch·pounds) and record it. Now, find the arm (the CG position) of the loaded glider. Divide the total moment by the total weight to discover the CG of the loaded aircraft glider in inches from the datum:

+16,400 inch·pounds ÷ 980 pounds = +16.73 inches

The final step is to determine whether total weight and CG location values are within acceptable limits. The GFM/ POH lists the maximum gross weight as 1,100 pounds. The operating weight of 980 pounds is less than the 1,100 pounds maximum gross weight. The GFM/POH lists the approved CG range as between +14.80 inches and +18.60 inches from the datum. The operating CG is +16.73 inches from the datum and is within these limits. The weight and balance are within operating limits.

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