AR(R)OW: "W" Reference

[ScubaPilot77]

In the States most of us learned the acronym "ARROW" for required documents on board a civil aricraft:
Airworthiness certificate
Registration
Radio station license (if operated internationally)
Operating limitations (placards and flight manual)
Weight and balance

The first four requirements are covered under 14 CFR Part 91.203 and 91.9. Can anyone point to the specific FAR which requires the weight and balance to be on board?

Thanks.

[malc4d]

Is this it........?

91.103 Preflight action.

Each pilot in command shall, before beginning a flight, become familiar with all available information concerning that flight. This information must include—

(a) For a flight under IFR or a flight not in the vicinity of an airport, weather reports and forecasts, fuel requirements, alternatives available if the planned flight cannot be completed, and any known traffic delays of which the pilot in command has been advised by ATC;

(b) For any flight, runway lengths at airports of intended use, and the following takeoff and landing distance information:

(1) For civil aircraft for which an approved Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual containing takeoff and landing distance data is required, the takeoff and landing distance data contained therein; and

(2) For civil aircraft other than those specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, other reliable information appropriate to the aircraft, relating to aircraft performance under expected values of airport elevation and runway slope, aircraft gross weight, and wind and temperature.

[ScubaPilot77]

That must be it, under 91.103(b)(2) "... aircraft gross weight..."

We really drill that acronym into students and yet I have been unable to find a specific reference -- unlike the other parts of AR(R)OW -- to actually have the weight and balance documents on board. For example, 91.103(a) and (b) require checking several things but II have never been taught, nor can I find int he regulations, the requirement to keep a physical copy of the runway length or wx reports on board.

[shroom]

It's convoluted, but here goes.

First use CFR 91.9:

§ 91.9 Civil aircraft flight manual, marking, and placard requirements.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, no person may operate a civil aircraft without complying with the operating limitations specified in the approved Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual, markings, and placards, or as otherwise prescribed by the certificating authority of the country of registry.
(b) No person may operate a U.S.-registered civil aircraft—
(1) For which an Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual is required by §21.5 of this chapter unless there is available in the aircraft a current, approved Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual or the manual provided for in §121.141(b); and
(2) For which an Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual is not required by §21.5 of this chapter, unless there is available in the aircraft a current approved Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual, approved manual material, markings, and placards, or any combination thereof.
(c) No person may operate a U.S.-registered civil aircraft unless that aircraft is identified in accordance with part 45 of this chapter.
(d) Any person taking off or landing a helicopter certificated under part 29 of this chapter at a heliport constructed over water may make such momentary flight as is necessary for takeoff or landing through the prohibited range of the limiting height-speed envelope established for the helicopter if that flight through the prohibited range takes place over water on which a safe ditching can be accomplished and if the helicopter is amphibious or is equipped with floats or other emergency flotation gear adequate to accomplish a safe emergency ditching on open water.


That part tells you that a manual must be on board the plane. But what must be contained within the manual? You have to look at the certification requirements of the plane itself, which state what must be in the manual. For that, you have to look at Part 23 (for most small planes). Note many of the requirements after letter "d," mentioning weight and balance, preformance, etc.:

§ 23.1583 Operating limitations.

The Airplane Flight Manual must contain operating limitations determined under this part 23, including the following—
(a) Airspeed limitations. The following information must be furnished:
(1) Information necessary for the marking of the airspeed limits on the indicator as required in §23.1545, and the significance of each of those limits and of the color coding used on the indicator.
(2) The speeds VMC, VO, VLE, and VLO, if established, and their significance.
(3) In addition, for turbine powered commuter category airplanes—
(i) The maximum operating limit speed, VMO/MMOand a statement that this speed must not be deliberately exceeded in any regime of flight (climb, cruise or descent) unless a higher speed is authorized for flight test or pilot training;
(ii) If an airspeed limitation is based upon compressibility effects, a statement to this effect and information as to any symptoms, the probable behavior of the airplane, and the recommended recovery procedures; and
(iii) The airspeed limits must be shown in terms of VMO/MMOinstead of VNOand VNE.
(b) Powerplant limitations. The following information must be furnished:
(1) Limitations required by §23.1521.
(2) Explanation of the limitations, when appropriate.
(3) Information necessary for marking the instruments required by §23.1549 through §23.1553.
(c) Weight. The airplane flight manual must include—
(1) The maximum weight; and
(2) The maximum landing weight, if the design landing weight selected by the applicant is less than the maximum weight.
(3) For normal, utility, and acrobatic category reciprocating engine-powered airplanes of more than 6,000 pounds maximum weight and for turbine engine-powered airplanes in the normal, utility, and acrobatic category, performance operating limitations as follows—
(i) The maximum takeoff weight for each airport altitude and ambient temperature within the range selected by the applicant at which the airplane complies with the climb requirements of §23.63(c)(1).
(ii) The maximum landing weight for each airport altitude and ambient temperature within the range selected by the applicant at which the airplane complies with the climb requirements of §23.63(c)(2).
(4) For commuter category airplanes, the maximum takeoff weight for each airport altitude and ambient temperature within the range selected by the applicant at which—
(i) The airplane complies with the climb requirements of §23.63(d)(1); and
(ii) The accelerate-stop distance determined under §23.55 is equal to the available runway length plus the length of any stopway, if utilized; and either:
(iii) The takeoff distance determined under §23.59(a) is equal to the available runway length; or
(iv) At the option of the applicant, the takeoff distance determined under §23.59(a) is equal to the available runway length plus the length of any clearway and the takeoff run determined under §23.59(b) is equal to the available runway length.
(5) For commuter category airplanes, the maximum landing weight for each airport altitude within the range selected by the applicant at which—
(i) The airplane complies with the climb requirements of §23.63(d)(2) for ambient temperatures within the range selected by the applicant; and
(ii) The landing distance determined under §23.75 for standard temperatures is equal to the available runway length.
(6) The maximum zero wing fuel weight, where relevant, as established in accordance with §23.343.
(d) Center of gravity. The established center of gravity limits.
(e) Maneuvers. The following authorized maneuvers, appropriate airspeed limitations, and unauthorized maneuvers, as prescribed in this section.
(1) Normal category airplanes. No acrobatic maneuvers, including spins, are authorized.
(2) Utility category airplanes. A list of authorized maneuvers demonstrated in the type flight tests, together with recommended entry speeds and any other associated limitations. No other maneuver is authorized.
(3) Acrobatic category airplanes. A list of approved flight maneuvers demonstrated in the type flight tests, together with recommended entry speeds and any other associated limitations.
(4) Acrobatic category airplanes and utility category airplanes approved for spinning. Spin recovery procedure established to show compliance with §23.221(c).
(5) Commuter category airplanes. Maneuvers are limited to any maneuver incident to normal flying, stalls, (except whip stalls) and steep turns in which the angle of bank is not more than 60 degrees.
(f) Maneuver load factor. The positive limit load factors in g's, and, in addition, the negative limit load factor for acrobatic category airplanes.
(g) Minimum flight crew. The number and functions of the minimum flight crew determined under §23.1523.
(h) Kinds of operation. A list of the kinds of operation to which the airplane is limited or from which it is prohibited under §23.1525, and also a list of installed equipment that affects any operating limitation and identification as to the equipment's required operational status for the kinds of operation for which approval has been given.
(i) Maximum operating altitude. The maximum altitude established under §23.1527.
(j) Maximum passenger seating configuration. The maximum passenger seating configuration.
(k) Allowable lateral fuel loading. The maximum allowable lateral fuel loading differential, if less than the maximum possible.
(l) Baggage and cargo loading. The following information for each baggage and cargo compartment or zone—
(1) The maximum allowable load; and
(2) The maximum intensity of loading.
(m) Systems. Any limitations on the use of airplane systems and equipment.
(n) Ambient temperatures. Where appropriate, maximum and minimum ambient air temperatures for operation.
(o) Smoking. Any restrictions on smoking in the airplane.
(p) Types of surface. A statement of the types of surface on which operations may be conducted. (See §23.45(g) and §23.1587 (a)(4), (c)(2), and (d)(4)).

I was always taught, and I taught my students, that the "O" in "ARROW" means "Operating Manual WITH weight and balance information."

Also, the radio station license (second "R" in "ARROW") is only required if the U.S.-registered plane is operated outside of the United States.

Hope this is helpful.