Backcountry Pilot • Scale type to weigh C-180 ?

Scale type to weigh C-180 ?

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Scale type to weigh C-180 ?

Can anyone share their experience weighing a C-180 / 185 ?
Did you use "load cell" type scale?
Advice welcome ...
With the spring gear, jacking up the aircraft gets tricky.
I can borrow scales ok, but wondering what type are best.
The rebuild project is getting near the end and it would be good to a fresh empty weight.
Thanks
54c180 offline
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Posts: 56
Joined: Wed Nov 11, 2015 4:25 am
Location: Melfort
Aircraft: C-180

Re: Scale type to weigh C-180 ?

I had my 170 weighed a couple years ago. Local A&P with load cell type scales that were about 12" square. Scales had built in ramps and chocks for the mains. No need to jack the mains, just roll it on. Load doesn't change a lot, and they don't move outboard like when you jack up one leg. Raised the tail on a hand crank forklift thing with the third scale on the forklift plafform. Mains don't move. Need to raise it until the reference is level - on the 170 this is the upper door sill- tailwheel goes up higher than you think. Get it level, read the numbers, do the math.

All pretty easy, really. Except watching the tail go up on the hand crank forklift thing.

Want to do a quick calibration check? Stand on each scale in turn; you might not weigh what you though you did, but the scales should read the same. :)

Good luck.
c170pete offline
Posts: 294
Joined: Wed Dec 14, 2011 10:39 am
Location: nor cal

Re: Scale type to weigh C-180 ?

Load cell scales and the tail,has to come up a LONG way to level the top of the door frame. Other than emptying everything, including fuel, and the big lift at the back end, pretty straight forward.
flyingzebra offline
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Posts: 479
Joined: Sat Jan 24, 2009 4:53 am
Location: Northwest Washington state
Aircraft: Cessna Skylane 182 N3440S, Aviat Husky N2918L

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