Fuel affects both total aircraft weight and total moment. A weight and balance calculator therefore needs the usable fuel quantity, an applicable fuel density and the fuel station or arm.
Many light-aircraft POH loading examples use 6 lb per US gallon for aviation gasoline. Jet-fuel aircraft use a different loading density specified by their documentation. Fuel density is set for each aircraft configuration rather than applying one value to every airplane.
The fuel arm determines how fuel contributes to moment. Burning fuel removes both weight and moment, so the CG can move during flight.
Flight-planning calculations generally work with usable fuel. Unusable fuel is handled according to the aircraft’s empty-weight definition and approved documentation.
Some models have standard, long-range or optional fuel systems. Select a calculator/configuration that matches the airplane and verify it against the POH or AFM.
WBcalc provides model-specific calculators with aircraft loading stations, fuel data and CG limits. Browse all supported aircraft calculators.
WBcalc is a planning aid. Approved aircraft documents and the current aircraft weight and balance record remain authoritative.