SLF999

I'm a business SLF and on a recent flight from Ancona to STN on boarding the aircraft the crew instructed the SLF not to sit in the first six rows nor the last 4 rows.
I initially thought this was so the crew had less area to clean on turnaround but during the flight they allowed SLF to sit in the front six rows if they wanted as long as they returned to their original seats prior to landing at STN .
I have heard this is something to do with "balance" but I would appreciate a Ryanair or other driver letting me in on the mystery if they would please.

DUB-GREG

As far as I know this IS for weight and balance.

The CofG (center of gravity) must be right on the aircraft.

Although Ive never actually seen this on the A320/21 I presume it must me a 737-800 Thing.

I'm sure there are more qualified peeps here who could shed some light on the matter? As I'm just guessing.

The Real Slim Shady

It is pure and simple a balance exercise: the moment arms at the front and rear are greater, hence with certain pax loads rows are blocked to keep the weight in the centre of the aircraft. If Ryanair didn't free seat, the boarding cards and seats issued at check in would have a similar result.

Bearcat

Crew werent trying to mess you around....depending on what way the baggage is loaded, sometimes having people in the front or rear can leave the aircraft slightly out of limits re CoG for T/O etc.

pacer142

Yet I have never, ever seen easyJet do the same. If it is loading-related, is it because Ryanair operate the longer 737-800s rather than easyJet's -700s?

Global Pilot

SLF 999,

the very same question was raised earlier this month and you can find the replies on this thread.
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=266844
brgds,

GP

SLF999

Thanks Global I have read the Tech link and it does appear to be CoG issue

Forgive the question but if the max t/o weight of the 737-800 is 77999 kg
and 10 rows of 6 pax each with an av weight of 70 kg = 4200 kg would that really make a difference to the trim settings ?

rgds

SLF999

BEagle

Yes it most certainly would.

Put a hundredweight back of spuds in the boot of your car - does it handle any differently?

Anyway, why on earth would a business SLF fly Ryanair?

The Real Slim Shady

Because if you want a direct flight rather than connect in Milan or Milan and Rome FR offers the solution.

mary_hinge

Anyway, why on earth would a business SLF fly Ryanair?

As an example:
Depending on the time of day, for Heathrow I need to allow 3 hours driving time, but arrive in Hamburg.
An alternative is Ryanair onto Lubeck, and then a pleasant drive in a hired Mercedes down the German Autobahn for an hour.

SLF999

Hi BEagle

Why would a business fly Ryanair indeed , not through choice I may tell you . I do a lot of business in the Marche region of Italy and especially close to Ancona , in Jesi and Castelplanio so if you could suggest another way of getting to Ancona without Ryanair please do tell ! I could fly BA to Bologna and get a two hour train to Ancona or fly to Rome and get a 1 hour flight with Alitalia to Ancona

Understand my predicament ? so I am actually grateful to Ryanair for providing that service which I have used many times .

kind regards

SLF999

eastern wiseguy

Jeez you guys can be such snobs...sometimes there is just NO option....try flying with "British" Airways from my part of the UK .... I am glad of the LoCo's ....

j_davey

this would make such a massive difference u would not believe! i regularly despatch all models of 737`s and let me tell u that if a 738 does not have a full pax load and u dont block a few rows you will run into some major issues ... with assigned seating the girls in check-in will, in their infinite wisdom, will start checking at the front and work to the back..... this aint good.

jd.

j_davey

indeed the airbus models are more forgiving when it comes to weight/balance than their boeing equivalents. - just my experiences!

YYZ

You only have to block off the mentioned rows if the aircraft is not full and below a certain pax figure, as mentioned, when rule two is used this is to increase the range of the stab trim to allow for a take off within the AC limits, this may not be needed if Ryanair used the aft cargo comps, but due to the restrictions in the 25 min turnaround it is not possible to get the equip needed for this exercise, therefore only the front two tend to be used causing them to position the walking payload...

Hope thats a bit clearer for all?

FS-chick

Because it's cheap

sorry1405

blocking off the first 6 rows and last 4 is a weight and balance rule called rule 2 which if under 132 pax is used if the zfw balance units exceed the limits or if more than 178 pax once again only if the balance limits exceed then you can subtract 0.4 balance units from the aft and add to the forward balance units ie with a limit of zfw 42000-43999 the balance limits are 5.4 to 5.8 it would then become 5.0 to 6.2 if your zfw was say for example 42455.9 hope that makes sense.

Bodjit

I think you're all looking in far to deep.....

They only have 20 mins to turn the Ac round... If you don't have people in the first and last 6 rows at the next turnaround you don't have to clean these rows or sort out the seat belts ! !

Just a time saving wheeze thats all.. Or maybe I'm just been cynical