Charlie Kuss wrote:

Hi folks,
 My EAA Chapter is investigating investing in a set of aircraft scales

to weigh our planes. One low cost alternative to either digital electronic

aircraft or auto racing scales are the RuggleS'cales. I would like the

opinion of anyone who owns or has used these scales. You can find info on
them at:

http://www.tgsi.com/scales.html

  I'm not sure that these scales would really be adequate for use on

aircraft. I would also appreciate opinions from the engineers on list.

Please reply off list if you think that your reply would not be of

interest to the group as a whole.

Charlie Kuss
RV-8A
fuselage
EAA Chapter 133 treasurer

Charlie,

Just from looking at these things, I can see one problem. The resolution of
the scale will be reduced because of the moment arm. For example, say your
bathroom scale goes to 200 pounds, you put a lever arm on it and now the
scale is good for 400 pounds. Instead of reading in 1 LB increments, it now
weighs in 2 LB. increments. Any error will also be doubled. Make sure to
calibrate any scale with known weights before trusting your butt to its
numbers. They seem a bit pricey too. Back when I was messing with such
things, seems like a good set of race car scales was only about $1200. So
for 3 times what these things cost you get the real deal. (warning: I spent
the day dislodging and moving large pieces of stone, so I may be delirious)

Monty

 
The AirCraft Rotary Engine NewsLetter.              Powered by Linux.
ACRE NL web site.
http://home.earthlink.net/~rotaryeng/            http://www.linux.org