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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Produce weight and balance information 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
263009  Produce weight and balance information 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Aerospace Operations 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences Physical Sciences 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 6  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6  40 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The person credited with this unit standard is able to prepare both the weighing equipment and aircraft for weighing and to determine the aircraft weight. Learners will also be able to establish and adjust the dry operating weight and centre of gravity for an aircraft as well as to conduct a survey to determine the average passenger weight. Learners will be able to make adjustments to the centre of gravity envelope and to compile the electronic data sets in the required format.

The qualifying learner is capable of:
  • Determining Basic Weight and Centre of Gravity (CG).
  • Determining dry operating weight (DOW).
  • Determining average passenger weight.
  • Producing balance chart/trim sheet.
  • Producing electronic weight and balance data (AHM560). 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Learners accessing this qualification will be assumed competent in:
  • Communication at NQF Level 5 or equivalent.
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 5 or equivalent. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Determine Basic Weight and Centre of Gravity (CG). 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    The determination of Basic Weight and Centre of Gravity (CG) includes but is not limited to the weighing of the aircraft, filing of weighing report and the obtaining of the certified weighing certificate from SA-CAA. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Weighing equipment is prepared according to manufacturer's specifications, legislated requirements and organisational policies and procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Aircraft is prepared for weighing according to manufacturer's specification, regulations and organisational policies and procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Aircraft weight is determined in accordance with manufacturer's specifications and organisational policies and procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Centre of Gravity is calculated according to manufacturer's specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Adjustments are applied to the recorded weight and Centre of Gravity calculations according to organisational policies, procedures and methods. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Adjustments may include but are not limited to:
  • Residual fuel, weight of on-board documentation and latitude correction for geographical location of weigh.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Determine dry operating weight (DOW). 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Seat row index or cabin area centroid is calculated and applied according to organisational policies and procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    DOW and Centre of Gravity are established in order to achieve accurate trim of the laden aircraft. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    DOW may include but is not limited to basic weight, pantry items, aircraft documentation, flight spares, potable water and weight of crew.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Basic weight and DOW adjustments are checked to ensure a practical range of Centre of Gravity movement within the trim envelope of the aircraft remains. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Determine average passenger weight. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Passenger weight survey is planned in order to determine accurate passenger weights for air aircraft performance calculations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Survey sample size and composition is determined in accordance with appropriate regulations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Sample size and composition should reflect males, females, infants, children, male and female crew and hand luggage per target flight sector.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Passenger weight survey is carried out according to relevant regulations and organisational policies and procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Survey results are analysed in order to derive accurate average passenger weights. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Produce balance chart/trim sheet. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Index unit formula is generated in accordance with manufacturer's Weight and Balance Manual. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Appropriate certified Centre of Gravity range is identified according to manufacturer's Weight and Balance Manual. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Adjustments are made to define operational balance Centre of Gravity envelope, in accordance with relevant regulations and organisational policies and procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Adjustments include but are not limited to:
  • Dry Operating Weight; cargo distribution, cargo asymmetric loading, cabin area centroid, cargo centroid, galley centroid, in flight movement, passenger seating, potable water, flap and landing gear movements, fuel load, ballast, last minute changes to load, specialised passenger groups and customised curtailments to Centre of Gravity envelope as required by organisational policies and procedures.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Produce electronic weight and balance data (AHM560). 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Load and trim data requirements are identified and explained in accordance with AHM560 specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Elements to be included into each specific data set are identified from all basic data supplied by aircraft manufacturers as well as customised data. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Customised data may include but is not limited to operator specific cabin layout and safety curtailments of balance envelope.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Electronic data sets are compiled in the required format to facilitate the creation of an optimised load plan. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Electronic data sets may include but are not limited to DOW, load plan data set, Centre of Gravity movements, fuel load, water load, life rafts, payload corrections, in-flight spares, weight of crew, in-flight movement curtailments.
     


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • An individual wishing to be assessed (including through RPL) against this unit standard may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant ETQA or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding in place with the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding in place with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard or assessing this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding in place with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Methods to determine basic weight and centre of gravity.
  • Sources of information to produce weight and information.
  • Methods to produce balance chart/trim sheet.
  • How to determine average passenger weight. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems in the process of determining weight and balance information. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others when obtaining information on passenger weight in an inoffensive manner. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities so that passenger weight surveys are conducted at the required intervals. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information which will lead to the producing of weight and balance information. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively with potential passengers and other stakeholders when conducting a passenger weight survey. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology to produce the weight and balance information. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems where the accurate production of weight and balance information has a positive on flight safety. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    In order to contribute to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of society at large, it must be the intention underlying any programme of learning to make an individual aware of the importance of:
  • Being culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts when gathering passenger weight information. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Glossary of Terms:
  • AHM560 refers to the Aircraft Handling Manual '560'. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  66109   National Diploma: Aircraft Performance Engineering  Level 6  NQF Level 06  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2016-12-31  TETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.