Backcountry Pilot • CG Finder for Iphone

CG Finder for Iphone

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CG Finder for Iphone

I have tested the results of this program for accuracy by comparing it to the same figures I used in a manual, on-paper weight and balance. The results were the same. This program does exactly what the publisher claims, and does it very well and easily. This program allows me to very easily and quickly test placement and weights of options, accessories, possible passenger and cargo weights. Two exceptional features are the simultaneous display of "0" fuel and "take off" weight, and the ability to quickly switch between several different sample aircraft.

It's crucially important that if you use this program, the correct data needs to be entered first.

Image

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http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cg-finder/id344805048?mt=8
WingsOverPalawan offline
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Re: CG Finder for Iphone

It looks nice, but i've been using an excell spreadsheet for about 15 years that does the same thing on my laptop. :D
Dale Moul offline
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Re: CG Finder for Iphone

Looks useful, and for those of us already using an iPod/iPhone/iPad for GPS, this would be even more useful. I wouldn't be hauling my laptop with me, so a spreadsheet would only be as useful as my planning before leaving the house.
mckim offline
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Re: CG Finder for Iphone

Anyone have a version for Android Smartphone ? I've got a Samsung "S" 4g for last few weeks and love it.
182 STOL driver offline
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Re: CG Finder for Iphone

Question,
My plane FWD CG is a straight line variation from 34.5" @ 2100Lbs to 41.8" @ 3350Lbs.
I looked but can't find a way to enter data so the App knows whether I'm in or out of CG at various weights.
Any ideas?

Thanks
SkyTruck offline
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Re: CG Finder for Iphone

As a user interface designer, I find it almost as offensive as the BCP website.

There are a bunch of other iPhone W&B apps out there. $5 is a small price to pay for something that looks better.

Here are a few:
http://www.wnbpro.com/
http://www.nextgen-systems.com/weightbalance/

You'd have to do a feature comparison, but W&B is such a simple function anyway.
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Re: CG Finder for Iphone

Thanks Zane.

I went with the WNB Pro App.

It will make it easy to figure W/B when flying my plane with the cargo pod on or off, with or without the larger wheels and tires, or any combination of the above.

I've flown it enough to know that you don't want an aft CG .... Scary!
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Re: CG Finder for Iphone

182 STOL driver wrote:Anyone have a version for Android Smartphone ? I've got a Samsung "S" 4g for last few weeks and love it.



Yep, I use this one:

http://tinyurl.com/2c8qoy6

Allows you to have multiple setups for a given plane as well as any number of planes. I have three configs for my Bo for the various number of seats I may have installed.
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Re: CG Finder for Iphone

+1 for WnB Pro. As Zane says, the interface plus the flexibility are worth the extra dough.
260Driver offline
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Re: CG Finder for Iphone

Zane wrote:As a user interface designer, I find it almost as offensive as the BCP website.

There are a bunch of other iPhone W&B apps out there. $5 is a small price to pay for something that looks better.

Here are a few:
http://www.wnbpro.com/
http://www.nextgen-systems.com/weightbalance/

You'd have to do a feature comparison, but W&B is such a simple function anyway.


I tried WnB Pro, couldn't ever get it to work properly. I'm sure it's a good program when it does work. For me, even after putting in all the correct figures, it never displayed anything on the graph. I must have missed something, did something wrong in the new aircraft set-up. I'll download it again and try it again.

Apart from the interface that doesn't appeal to some (or many?), I find the CG Finder useful for my purposes, and fast.
Last edited by WingsOverPalawan on Fri Aug 26, 2011 9:11 pm, edited 3 times in total.
WingsOverPalawan offline
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Re: CG Finder for Iphone

Make sure you put the Arm in inches.
If you put the arm in using the moment(devided by 1000), it won't display because it will be way off the graph(envelop).
Ask me how I know :)
It works great for me now I have the data entered properly.

Good luck.
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Re: CG Finder for Iphone

regarding CG Finder
SkyTruck wrote:Question,
My plane FWD CG is a straight line variation from 34.5" @ 2100Lbs to 41.8" @ 3350Lbs.
I looked but can't find a way to enter data so the App knows whether I'm in or out of CG at various weights.
Any ideas?

Thanks
The app does not display the straight line CG envelope like others. It's displayed as a set of sliders that are set between your initially entered aft cg and fwd cg range (34.5 and 41.8"). Make sure you entered your plane's plane's empty weight and ARM. You should have also already entered your aircraft maximum take-off weight (3350 lbs?). Press "calculate" and if all the numbers and sliders are green, you'll be within that cg range. If red, then you're either fwd or aft or overloaded. You can move sliders to adjust individual stations on the same screen and get an instant view of what moving x lbs x distance fwd or aft would do to within your cg envelope. The program's creator is very helpful and will respond the same day if you have other inquiries. [email protected]

regarding WnB Pro
SkyTruck wrote:Make sure you put the Arm in inches.
If you put the arm in using the moment(devided by 1000), it won't display because it will be way off the graph(envelop).
Ask me how I know :)
It works great for me now I have the data entered properly.

Good luck.


I used inches. I think the problem is where I am entering in the envelope data.
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Re: CG Finder for Iphone

Just do a google search for a W&B calculator for your specific type of plane and I'm sure you will find several out there. I found a good one for my 170, I bookmarked it on my blackberry and I can access it anytime I want even when I don't have service. Best part is it's FREE!
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Re: CG Finder for Iphone

regarding WnB Pro


I got it working. I can see why you all like the little graph picture, but would I prefer it over CG Finder's sliders display? Hmmmm .

Both programs do the same thing, but just display the results differently. A nice thing about the WnB Pro is you can hide some of the stations that you wouldn't normally be altering the values for. For an Iphone app, I will keep both and use both, but always do an on paper weight & balance.
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Re: CG Finder for Iphone

Zane wrote:As a user interface designer, I find it almost as offensive as the BCP website.

There are a bunch of other iPhone W&B apps out there. $5 is a small price to pay for something that looks better.

Here are a few:
http://www.wnbpro.com/
http://www.nextgen-systems.com/weightbalance/

You'd have to do a feature comparison, but W&B is such a simple function anyway.


I have also tried a couple that I didn't care for, before hitting on a really sweet one.

For anyone looking, check out Aviation W&B by RoyApplications. There are lots of small Cessna and Piper singles to choose from, and a build-your-own option for everyone else. The developer tells me that there will soon be a rollout where build-your-own will be free. In the meantime, the costs are negligible, as compared to others such as Nextgen, above. In addition, the interface is quite clean. Most notably, the developer has been amazingly responsive to user questions and needs.
Nextgen has been deleted from my phone.

-DP
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Re: CG Finder for Iphone

Weight?

Balance??????

Gump
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Re: CG Finder for Iphone

I'm using this CG Finder Very easy to use. Think it's great
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Re: CG Finder for Iphone

Weight?

Balance??????

It it used in Alaska to figure out if the doors are gunna close-ahead of time?..... :lol:

lc
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Re: CG Finder for Iphone

Littlecub wrote:It it used in Alaska to figure out if the doors are gunna close-ahead of time?..... :lol:

lc


Tell ya what, and I think a few of the guys currently working up north, and I know the old farts certainly can vouch for this. Math is not the typical AK ramper's strongest skill, and with some loads you just can't tell by looking. On paper you're fine, but....... #-o

It was not that uncommon to go, "Oh Shit" the moment you rotated and wallowed into the air, and count up box and freight weight oneself after landing, just to find your poor airplane overloaded and over gross by 500 to 1000 pounds. No biggie on a nice day, but heaven help you if you picked up a load of ice.

Gump
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Re: CG Finder for Iphone

I got the Aerobalance on my IPhone.

It has a nice interface with a standard W&B Graph.
All data points have to be entered from weight sheet.
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