B Index Equation

Development of an Index Equation
For training purposes only. Copyright © 2016 Boeing. May be subject to export restrictions under EAR. See title page for details B-1
Index Equation Development
• When loading an airplane, summation of

moments is necessary to determine the net
center of gravity for the loaded airplane
• An Index Equation is used to simplify the
presentation of moment data on the loading
schedule
• Index is moment scaled to a convenient
magnitude that is easy to add and subtract
based on a scale which is typically offset such
that all index values are positive
• To convert from a scale of %MAC to Index, an
index equation must be developed
Z
Balance Arm
Convert all inflection

points to weight and
X moment, instead of wt
Airplane Reference System and %MAC, then re-plot
as shown on next page…
Moment = Weight x Balance Arm
%MAC = B.A. - LEMAC (100)

MAC
Rearrange, solving for B.A.
B.A. = %MAC MAC + LEMAC

100
(known from WBM Section 1-00-xxx)
Moment = Weight x Balance Arm

Result of graphing certified C.G.
limits as wt versus moment
Z
Balance Arm
Certified
WEIGHT
Limits
X
Airplane Reference System
Using the airplane datum as the

datum for moment calculations on
the load sheet produces very large 0.0E+00 2.0E+08 4.0E+08 6.0E+08 8.0E+08 1.0E+09
numbers, and results in a C.G. MOMENT
grid that is skewed aft

Step 1: Select a new datum about which to calculate moments
Moment = Weight x (Balance Arm - Datum Balance Arm)

∆ Arm
Z
Datum Balance Arm
Balance Arm Arm
WEIGHT
MAC = 0% 100%
X
This step centers and opens up the

envelope, but we would like to -3.0E+07 -2.0E+07 -1.0E+07 0.0E+00 1.0E+07 2.0E+07 3.0E+07
work with smaller values than MOMENT
those on this moment scale
?? What was that previous step ??
Remember Calculating Moments and Determining CG Location?
Distance
- + from 100 kg
datum 50 kg
Chosen beam wt = 20 kg
Reference
Datum 2
5 .9
D
5.9
8
Weight is
(Moment about reference datum
positive
= wt x dist. from datum)
down
weight 1 = 50 moment 1 = 50 x 2 = 100
weight 2 = 20 moment 2 = 20 x 5 = 100
weight 3 = 100 moment 3 = 100 x 8 = 800
Total weight = 170 Total moment = 1000
balance location = total moment = 1000 / 170

total weight = 5.9 (or .9 to the right of the beam center)
Also, remember that we could calculate
moments about any selected datum?
4 New
Distance
selected
- + from 100 kg
datum datum
50 kg
Original
Chosen beam wt = 20 kg
Reference
Datum 2
5 .9
D
5.9
8
Weight is
positive (Moment about NEW reference datum
down = wt x dist. from NEW datum)
weight 1 = 50 moment 1 = 50 x (2 – 4) = - 100
weight 2 = 20 moment 2 = 20 x (5 – 4) = 20
weight 3 = 100 moment 3 = 100 x (8 – 4) = 400
Total weight = 170 Total moment = 320
balance location = total moment = 320 / 170

total weight = 1.9 (or .9 to the right of the beam center)
Step 1: Select a new datum about which to calculate moments
(same concept as previous example)
Moment = Weight x (Balance Arm - Datum Balance Arm)
∆ Arm
Z
Datum Balance Arm
Balance Arm Arm
WEIGHT
MAC = 0% 100%
X
This step centers and opens up the

envelope, but we would like to -3.0E+07 -2.0E+07 -1.0E+07 0.0E+00 1.0E+07 2.0E+07 3.0E+07
work with smaller values than MOMENT
those on this moment scale
Step 2: Divide moment by a constant to reduce magnitudes
Index = Weight x (Balance Arm - Datum Balance Arm)

Moment Constant
Moment
=
Moment Constant
This step provides more
WEIGHT
manageable numbers by
creating an ‘index’. Still have
‘+’ and ‘-’ values. Would like
to deal just with ‘+” values.
-100 -80 -60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100

INDEX
Step 3: Add a constant to create only positive index values
Index = Weight x (Balance Arm - Datum Balance Arm) Datum

+
Moment Constant Constant
WEIGHT
Datum
This last step provides a Constant
convenient form for use in
a load sheet
-100 -80 -60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100

INDEX
• Final form of the index equation:
Index = Weight x (Balance Arm - Datum Balance Arm) Datum

+
• This form of the index equation is only used for

calculating absolute index values
• Generally, the dry operating index of the airplane
and the C.G. limit vertices are the only index
values that must be determined using this form
of the equation
To convert the C.G. limit vertices found in the

WBM from %MAC to Index:
B.A. = %MAC * MAC + LEMAC

100
Index = Weight x (B.A. - Datum Balance Arm) + Datum

Quiz
Assume: MAC = 155.8 IN Datum B.A. = 658.3 IN.
LEMAC = 627.1 IN. Moment Constant = 80000 LB-IN
Datum Constant = 45.0
1) Weight = 138500 LB; CG = 5.0% MAC

Convert from %MAC to Index
5.0 (138500)(634.9 – 658.3)
B.A. = (155.8) + 627.1 Index = + 45.0
100 80000
= 634.9 IN. = 4.5
2) Weight = 156000 LB; CG = 36.0% MAC

Convert from %MAC to Index
36.0 (156000)(683.2 – 658.3)
B.A. = (155.8) + 627.1 Index = + 45.0
100 80000
= 683.2 IN. = 93.6
Example
Conversion
from %MAC
to Index
737-800 Certified C.G.

limits from WBM
(weight versus C.G.
in %MAC)
MAC = 155.8 IN.
LEMAC = 627.1 IN.
Example Conversion from %MAC to Index
BALANCE
WEIGHT ARM
(LB) %MAC (IN.) INDEX
80000 5.0 634.9 21.6

138500 5.0 634.9 4.5
143425 6.0 636.4 5.7
144000 6.1 636.6 5.9
173000 12.0 645.8 18.0
Calculated
174700 16.8 653.3 34.1
in Quiz
174700 25.5 666.8 63.6
173000 31.0 675.4 82.0
156000 36.0 683.2 93.6
144000 36.0 683.2 89.8
136000 36.0 683.2 87.3
105000 36.0 683.2 77.7
80000 32.3 677.4 64.1
80000 6.0 636.4 23.1
136000 6.0 636.4 7.9
Assume Index equation based on: Datum Balance Arm = 658.3 IN.
Moment Constant = 80000 LB-IN.
180000 174700 174700
34.0 63.6
173000 173000
18.0 82.0
170000
Example 160000 143425

5.7 156000
Conversion 93.6
150000
from %MAC 144000 144000
GROSS WEIGHT (LB)

5.9 89.8
to Index 140000
136000
138500
4.5
136000
7.9 87.3
130000
737-800 Certified 120000
C.G. limits from

110000
WBM converted to
105000
weight versus Index 77.7
100000
(based on chosen
index equation)
90000
80000 80000 80000
21.6 23.1 64.1
80000
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
INDEX B-16
For training purposes only. Copyright © 2016 Boeing. May be subject to export restrictions under EAR. See title page for details
Example Conversion from %MAC to Index
Further, assume:
Dry Operating Weight = 100,000 LB
C.G. = 19.0 %MAC
Same Index equation: Datum Balance Arm = 658.3 IN.
Moment Constant = 80000 LB-IN.
MAC = 155.8 IN.
LEMAC = 627.1 IN.
19.0
B.A. = (155.8) + 627.1 = 656.7 IN.
100
Index = (100000)(656.7 – 658.3) + 45.0 = 43.0

80000
180000 174700 174700
34.0 63.6
173000 173000
18.0 82.0
170000
Example 160000 143425

5.7 156000
Conversion 150000
93.6
from %MAC to 144000 144000
GROSS WEIGHT (LB)

5.9 138500 89.8
Index 140000
136000
4.5
136000
7.9 87.3
130000
120000
737-800 Certified
C.G. limits from
110000
WBM converted to 105000
weight versus Index 100000 77.7
100000
(based on chosen
index equation) with
43.0
90000
a Dry Operating 80000 80000 80000
Weight C.G. plotted 80000
21.6 23.1 64.1
on the envelope 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

INDEX
The change in Index due to loaded items (e.g.

passengers, crew, cargo, fuel, etc.) is calculated
with the following form of the index equation:

Moment Constant
** No datum constant is required when calculating ∆index

values because the constant drops out of the calculation
Quiz
Aircraft Dry Operating Weight
327,000 Pounds (lb) at B.A. 1239.5 Inches (in)
Load Item
5,000 Pounds (lb) of Cargo at B.A. 770.0 Inches (in)
Index Equation Variables

Datum Balance Arm: 1258.0 Inches (in)
Moment Constant: 400,000 Pound-Inches (lb-in)
Datum Constant: 50 Index Units (I.U.)
1. Calculate aircraft’s Dry Operating Index (DOI)

2. Calculate index change for loaded item
3. Calculate resultant index when loaded item
is added to aircraft
Quiz
1. Calculate aircraft’s Dry Operating index
Weight x (Balance Arm - Datum Balance Arm) Datum

Index =
Moment Constant
+ Constant
327,000 lb x (1239.5 in - 1258.0 in)

Index =
400,000 lb-in
+ 50 I.U.
Index = (-15.1 I.U.) + 50 I.U. = 34.9 Index Units
Quiz
2. Calculate index change for loaded item

Moment Constant
Index = 5,000 lb x (770.0 in - 1258.0 in)

400,000 lb-in
Index = -6.1 Index Units
3. Calculate resultant index when loaded item

is added to aircraft
Aircraft Dry Operating Index: 34.9 Index Units

Load Item Index: +(-6.1) Index Units
Resultant: 28.8 Index Units
Calculation Check
Calculation Check:
Item Weight B.A. Moment
DOW: 327,000 lb 1239.5 in 405316500 lb-in
Load Item: +5,000 lb 770.0 in +3850000 lb-in
[a]
Resultant: 332,000 lb 1232.4 in 409166500 lb-in
[a] Resultant B.A. = (Resultant Moment)/(Resultant Weight)
332,000 lb x (1232.4 in - 1258.0 in)

Index = + 50 I.U. = 28.8 Index Units
400,000 lb-in
The
Same
Result
Choosing Index Equation Variables
• What should you select for your index equation

constants?
– Select values that create the desired CG
envelope look and scale
– Once the constants have been selected they
must also be used for all index and ∆ index
calculations that are going to be associated
with the CG envelope
Choice of Datum Balance Arm affects shape of certified limits
“Skewed Forward”
Datum B.A. > Mid Point
DBA = 44.0 %MAC
WEIGHT
-100 -80 -60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100
INDEX
“Skewed Aft”
Datum B.A. < Mid Point
DBA = 14.0 %MAC
WEIGHT
-100 -80 -60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100
INDEX
“Balanced”
Datum B.A. ~ Mid Point
DBA = 30.0 %MAC
WEIGHT
-100 -80 -60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100
INDEX
Moment Constant Controls Index Scale
Weight x (Arm - 1258.0 in) Weight x (Arm - 1258.0 in)

Index = + 50 I.U. Index = + 600 I.U.
500,000 lb-in 60,000 lb-in
WEIGHT
WEIGHT
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000
INDEX INDEX
Datum Constant chosen large enough to create CG
envelope based only on positive index values
WEIGHT DC
-100 -80 -60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100

INDEX
Typical Boeing Selected Datum BA,
Moment Constant, & Datum Constant
Datum Datum Moment Moment
BA BA Constant Constant Datum
Model (IN) (% MAC) (LB-IN) (KG-IN) Constant
737-1/2/3/4/500 648.5 17.0 65000 30000 40.0
737-600/700/700C 658.3 20.0 70000 30000 45.0
737-800/900 658.3 20.0 80000 35000 45.0
747-400 1323.6 20.0 725000 300000 50.0
747-8 1323.6 20.0 725000 300000 40.0
757-200/200F 1037.8 23.0 165000 70000 50.0
757-300 1037.8 23.0 175000 80000 55.0
767-200 972.6 25.0 250000 100000 55.0
767-300/300F 972.6 25.0 300000 120000 55.0
767-400ER 972.6 25.0 350000 150000 55.0
777-
200/200ER/200LR/F
1258.0 30.0 500000 200000 50.0
777-300/300ER 1258.0 30.0 700000 300000 50.0
787-8 1079.2 20.0 400000 200000 50.0
787-9 1199.2 20.0 400000 200000 50.0
Reverse Engineer Index Equation
Determine Datum Balance Arm and Datum Constant by
locating the %MAC line perpendicular to the index axis
Datum B.A. = %MAC x MAC + LEMAC
100
If B.A. = DBA then:
%MAC
∆Index = WT (B.A. – DBA) =0

MC
Datum Constant
WEIGHT
Index = WT (B.A. – DBA) + DC

MC
DC is the index value where

perpendicular %MAC line intersects
the index scale (it is the amount the
scale has been shifted relative to zero)
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
INDEX
Reverse Engineer Index Equation
Determine moment constant by selecting a
point on a non-vertical %MAC line (a %MAC
that is not the datum balance arm)
(Weight 1) x (B.A. 1 - Datum B.A.)
Moment Constant =
(Index 1 – Datum Constant)
%MAC 1
Point 1
Weight 1
WEIGHT
%MAC 1
B.A. 1 = * MAC + LEMAC
100
INDEX Index 1
End of
Development of an Index Equation

B Index Equation

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B Index Equation

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Development of an Index Equation

• When loading an airplane, summation of

Convert all inflection

Moment = Weight x Balance Arm

%MAC = B.A. - LEMAC (100)

Rearrange, solving for B.A.

B.A. = %MAC MAC + LEMAC

Moment = Weight x Balance Arm

Using the airplane datum as the

numbers, and results in a C.G. MOMENT

grid that is skewed aft

Moment = Weight x (Balance Arm - Datum Balance Arm)

Balance Arm Arm

This step centers and opens up the

balance location = total moment = 1000 / 170

balance location = total moment = 320 / 170

Balance Arm Arm

This step centers and opens up the

Index = Weight x (Balance Arm - Datum Balance Arm)

This step provides more

-100 -80 -60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100

Index = Weight x (Balance Arm - Datum Balance Arm) Datum

-100 -80 -60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100

• Final form of the index equation:

Index = Weight x (Balance Arm - Datum Balance Arm) Datum

• This form of the index equation is only used for

To convert the C.G. limit vertices found in the

B.A. = %MAC * MAC + LEMAC

Index = Weight x (B.A. - Datum Balance Arm) + Datum

1) Weight = 138500 LB; CG = 5.0% MAC

2) Weight = 156000 LB; CG = 36.0% MAC

737-800 Certified C.G.

80000 5.0 634.9 21.6

Example 160000 143425

GROSS WEIGHT (LB)

737-800 Certified 120000

C.G. limits from

Index = (100000)(656.7 – 658.3) + 45.0 = 43.0

Example 160000 143425

from %MAC to 144000 144000

GROSS WEIGHT (LB)

on the envelope 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

The change in Index due to loaded items (e.g.

Index = Weight x (Balance Arm - Datum Balance Arm)

** No datum constant is required when calculating ∆index

Index Equation Variables

1. Calculate aircraft’s Dry Operating Index (DOI)

1. Calculate aircraft’s Dry Operating index

Weight x (Balance Arm - Datum Balance Arm) Datum

327,000 lb x (1239.5 in - 1258.0 in)

Index = (-15.1 I.U.) + 50 I.U. = 34.9 Index Units

Index = Weight x (Balance Arm - Datum Balance Arm)

Index = 5,000 lb x (770.0 in - 1258.0 in)

Index = -6.1 Index Units

3. Calculate resultant index when loaded item

Aircraft Dry Operating Index: 34.9 Index Units

332,000 lb x (1232.4 in - 1258.0 in)

• What should you select for your index equation

DBA = 44.0 %MAC

Moment Constant Controls Index Scale

Weight x (Arm - 1258.0 in) Weight x (Arm - 1258.0 in)

-100 -80 -60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100

∆Index = WT (B.A. – DBA) =0