AC15-LP™ Low-Profile Aircraft Scales

Platform Weighing of the Fixed-Wing Aircraft U-28A

The U-28A is a modified, single-engine Pilatus PC-12 aircraft and is part of the Air Force Special Operations Command manned, airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance fleet. All U-28A aircraft are maintained through contractor logistics support. The Sierra Nevada Corporation was assigned the contract and used Intercomp’s AC15-LP™ to weigh the three-wheeled aircraft with one platform scale per wheel. Manually recording the weight values from three scales and transferring them into AWBS software is time consuming, leads to potential errors, and can even create a need for additional weighings.

“Units can now weigh a U-28A in a fraction of the time versus older, manual methods. Low-profile scales with wireless communication direct to AWBS software save manpower and minimize record-keeping.”

– Patrick McIntyre, Director of Weight and Balance Training, Intercomp Company

Air Force units use Lockheed Martin’s™ AWBS software system to calculate and document weighing results. Intercomp’s wireless RFX™ technology communicates through an encrypted WiFi converter to any Windows™ based device running the AWBS software for the weighing process. By acquiring the weights directly into the software and populating the proper weight and balance forms, errors are reduced by minimizing manual inputs. Users verify weighing results immediately while the scales are deployed, eliminating unscheduled weighings which can occur after manual data entry and review.

Using AC15-LP™ low-profile aircraft scales, the process of deploying ramps, scales, and overrun spacers takes a matter of minutes. The low scale height enables tugs to push the aircraft up the ramps with less effort, and using overrun spacers simplifies the weighing process even further. Pushing the aircraft off the scales between weighings and back while maintaining level is rapid and easy.

Combining the performance of the AC15-LP™ with seamless communication with AWBS software results in accurate and repeatable weighings while minimizing potential for errors during aircraft weighing operations.

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