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Real-world Uses for Microsoft® Excel — by J. Broumley

Too often, Microsoft® Excel is the most under-used tool in your Office suite. Sure, most people know how to enter simple text and numbers — perhaps even create simple mathmatical functions to assist them in everyday tasks, but the program offers so much more — and no programming is required!

This download is an Excel spreadsheet used for calculating a weight and balance problem for a Cessna 172M. This is an excellent example of creating a free aviation software application with no programming whatsoever. There are no code modules or macros in this file. It was created using only the "off-the-shelf" features of Microsoft Excel.

The file was created using the POH for a 1976 Cessna 172M. However, the file is for training purposes only. No warrants or guarantees are made by Wave of the Future, Microsoft, or the Cessna Aircraft Company. We would appreciate any feedback you have, ideas for improvements to this spreadsheet, or requests for others. Please send your comments to jim@ridinthewave.com.

Please right-click (option-click on Macs) on the following link and choose to "Save Target As", or "Download Link To Disk"
Download the FREE weight & balance worksheet here »

Or...

If you would like an unprotected copy of this workbook with instructions on how to modify it for your own aircraft, one is available for purchase. The cost is $8.99 and the files are available for immediate download.

Instructions for use:

1. Download the file by right clicking on the link above and choose "Save Target As" from the context menu. A Save As dialog box will open and you can choose where on your computer you want to save the file.
2. Open the file in Excel 97, 2000, or XP.
3. Note that there are columns for a sample problem so you can see if the figures you enter are realistic. You will enter the values for your weight and balance problem in the yellow shaded squares.
4. Find the weight and balance form that is with the required documents carried in your aircraft. Find the airplane's empty weight and moment. Enter these values appropriate boxes on the first row. Note that according to the POH for this model, the empty weight includes the oil and unusable fuel.

5. Next enter the takeoff fuel in gallons in the appropriate block. The number of gallons will determine the weight and moment based on a weight of 6lbs/gallon.
6. Enter the combined weight of the pilot and front seat passenger in the appropriate block.
7. Enter the weight of the rear passengers, if any.
8. If baggage is loaded, enter the weights of the baggage in pounds in the appropriate blocks for areas 1 and 2. Note that baggage area 1 cannot exceed 120 pounds. Baggage area 2 cannot exceed 50 pounds. Both baggage areas combined cannot exceed 120 pounds.
9. Ensure that the total takeoff weight does not exceed 2300 pounds.
10. To determine the landing configuration, enter the number of gallons you estimate will be used during the flight.
11. Examine the chart at the bottom of the sheet and ensure that both the green mark for takeoff weight and moment, and the red mark for landing weight and moment fall inside the Center of Gravity Moment Envelope (the blue line) on the chart.

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