Pilot Paperwork Overload!!!!
 

I have a friend who is working for a low cost carrier which, in order to save cost, requires the pilot to manual complete the load, and trim sheet prior to every flight. Yes, it can be done, but with less than 25 minutes turn-around time (if there's no prior delay), it is quite a mad rush. However, there have been numerous times where the pilots forgot or omitted some safety items that pertain to the safe conduct of the flight. Fortunately, the chain of events that would lead to an accident were not completed. Has there been any accident in the past where paper work overload, or other non flying duties were a crucial factor? I'd appreciate your thoughts and opinions with regard to this matter, so that, perhaps, this issue may be raised to upper management for re-evaluation of the present practice.

Ha Ha, that's Air Asia for you. Each sector, Loadsheet (in 3 carbon copies), Trimsheet, T/O LDG Data Card, VR fuel and time figures to be entered in. All recorded and calculated in 25 min. Excluding FMC work, cockpit set up, briefings. Get out of the seat to go to the toilet? Forget it.....unless you're really good :p

Good news is, lazy people like me use a load/trim sheep program on my Pocket PC for the calculations and the company will be officially moving to electronic format in the near future.

So do lazy peole like yourself have a certified loadsheet program that will not make a mistake? The real things are bad enough for errors. And if such a device does make a mistake, I know who's going to be asked the question: "And how exactly did you calculate your TOW, CoG indices etc...?" No way would you use the thing with me. Use it at your own peril, not mine!

Actually lazy people like myself still need to write up the load sheet. However I use an Excel file that does just all the multiplications and additions. CofG indexes are calculated also once you enter the passenger data distribution. We use calculators in the Flightdeck, this is a similar device with a bit extra. I do my own quick cross checks to make sure the weights and CG are ok. And the other crew does a cross check before final sign off. This pocket PC is approved by our CAA and it is safe provided correct initial data is entered in which is Passengers (Adults, Child, Infant) and baggage distribution in the Hold. I will most certainly keep using the load/trim program when flying with you and you can cross check whichever way you like to.