TM 1-1520-240-10
6-6-18
6-6-35. Cargo Weight.
Package weight of individual items of cargo should be legibly
stenciled on an exterior surface. If not provided, the weight
must be determined in order to plan cargo placement, to
calculate contact pressure, and too compute helicopter
weight and balance. The same rule applies to palletized
cargo and vehicle loads.
6-6-36. Cargo Center of Gravity.
The center of gravity (C.G.) of each item of cargo must be
determined in order to compute weight and balance by the
station method. As a rule, those items of cargo crated for
transport will be marked with a C.G. If the C. G. is not
marked, it can be determined by methods provided in TM
10-450-10.
6-6-37. Vehicle Load.
The same general rules that are observed in cargo loading
apply to vehicle loading. In addition, the fuel tank caps,
radiator caps and battery filler caps should be checked and
secured. Fuel tanks should be checked to see that they are
not filled above three-quarters capacity. Air trapped in a fuel
tank will expand at altitude and force fuel out through the filler
neck, creating a fire hazard. If fuel tanks are filled to capacity,
some fuel must be drained off before the vehicle is loaded.
Also, check tire pressures and if necessary, deflate tires to
prescribed limits.
6-6-38. Hazardous Cargo.
Items of cargo possessing dangerous physical proper-
ties, such as explosives, acids, flammables. etc., must be
handled with extreme caution and in accordance with
established regulations and TM 38-250.
6-6-39. General Instructions for Loading, Securing,
and Unloading Cargo.
There are three prime factors to be considered in proper-
ly loading the helicopter. These factors are weight, bal-
ance, and restraint. The weight of the cargo to be loaded
must remain within safe operating limits, and the cargo
must be restrained from shifting during takeoff, flight, and
landing. Refer to TM 10-450-10 to determine or compute
loading, shoring and restraint criteria.
6-6-40. Weight and Balance.
Refer to TM 55-1500-342-23 and figure 6-7-1 to compute
helicopter GW/CG and complete Form F.
6-6-41. Restraint.
Items of cargo within the helicopter are subject to the
same forces which affect the helicopter in flight. These
forces will cause the cargo to shift unless the cargo is
restrained. To maintain helicopter balance and prevent
injury to personnel, cargo must be restrained from shift-
ing.
