RCAIDE.Library.Methods.Mass_Properties.Weight_Buildups.Conventional.General_Aviation.FLOPS.compute_operating_items_weight

compute_operating_items_weight#

compute_operating_items_weight(vehicle)[source]#

Calculate the weight of aircraft operating items using FLOPS methodology for a general aviation aircraft.

Parameters:

vehicle (RCAIDE.Vehicle()) – Vehicle data structure (not directly used in current implementation)

Returns:

output –

Data structure containing:
  • miscfloat

    Weight of miscellaneous items [kg], currently set to 0

  • flight_crewfloat

    Weight of flight crew and their baggage [kg]

  • flight_attendantsfloat

    Weight of flight attendants [kg], currently set to 0

  • totalfloat

    Total operating items weight [kg]

Return type:

Data()

Notes

Calculates weights for crew and operating items for a general aviation aircraft. Currently implements a simplified version focused on single-pilot operations.

Major Assumptions

  • Single pilot operation (1 flight crew member)

  • Standard flight crew weight of 225 lb including baggage

  • No flight attendants

  • No additional passenger service items

Theory

For general aviation aircraft, the operating items weight is primarily the flight crew weight:

\[W_{oi} = N_{fc} * W_{fc}\]
Where:

  • W_{oi} is total operating items weight [lb]

  • N_{fc} is number of flight crew (1)

  • W_{fc} is flight crew weight with baggage (225 lb)

References

[1] NASA. (1979). The Flight Optimization System Weights Estimation Method.

NASA Technical Report.