Abstract: An apparatus for use in determining the weight and the location of the center of gravity of a vehicle, particularly an aircraft prior to its taking off, comprising in combination at least one load-measuring device secured in a roadway or support for the vehicle and adapted for contacting load-supporting members of the vehicle when such is moved thereover or thereonto; computer means linked to the load-measuring devices and adapted to receive data therefrom; means for relaying to the operator of the vehicle data computed by the computer means, and sensor means linked to the computer means, the sensor means adapted to read characteristics of the vehicle as it observes the same and alert the computer, programmed for such characteristics. Also disclosed are methods based on use of the disclosed apparatus. Also disclosed are apparatus for and methods of processing vehicle passengers and their baggage to ensure safe operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in determining the weight and the location of the center of gravity of a vehicle, particularly an aircraft prior to its taking off, comprising in combination at least one load-measuring device secured in a roadway and adapted for contacting load-supporting members of the vehicle when such is moved thereover; computer means linked to the load-measuring devices and adapted to receive data therefrom; means for relaying to the operator of the vehicle data computed by the computer means, and sensor means linked to the computer means, the sensor means adapted to read characteristics of the vehicle as it observes the same and alert the computer, programmed for such characteristics. Also disclosed are methods based on use of the disclosed apparatus.

Abstract: In order to determine the location of the center of gravity of an aircraft in flight, an accelerometer is placed in the forward part of the aircraft and another is placed in the after part to produce signals representing the rotation of aircraft about an axis, preferably the yaw axis, through the aircraft center of gravity. The signals from the accelerometers are combined to produce a first signal having components that represent both motion of the aircraft and the location of the center of gravity along with a signal having a component representing the motion of the aircraft but substantially without a component representing the location of the center of gravity and these two signals are then combined to get a signal that represents the location of the aircraft center of gravity.

Abstract: An aircraft system which provides the pilot with a continuous cockpit reat of the weight and center of gravity of an aircraft carrying an externally lifted load together with the impact on aircraft controllability of load shifts and fuel burnoff, by transmitting input signals from load cells installed in the lifting hook system, input signals from a fuel totalizer, and input data from a system keyboard to a system computer.

Abstract: The disclosure embraces a manually operated weight and balance calculator for use with a slide card containing a graphic display of the weight-balance tolerance characteristics for a particular type of aircraft; the calculator includes a carrier channel for movably supporting a card in a selected position; spaced apart arcuate portions are provided for rotatably retaining a flat disc member; the disc member is provided with an outer rim portion which carries markings thereon alignable with markings formed on one of the arcuate portions; the disc member is provided with a central portion which is transparent to permit observation of a card supported by the calculator; the transparent portion is also provided with a plurality of parallel slots which permit access to the card carried by the calculator for the purpose of placing a series of markings on the card which are characteristic of the magnitude and position of the loads being carried by the aircraft and which will permit visual observation of the effect o