[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