Calculator [Seating Density Calculator]
Maker and role
National Airways Corporation, Commissioned by
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Object detail
Accession number
2007.58
Description
High density seating calculator made of two sheets of clear plastic with paper chart held between, disc of brown translucent plastic over top, sealed together by metal clasps at corners and middle. Measures numbers of passengers in Rows 1 to 10, weight of Fuel/ water/ front and rear locker/ galley etc. Statements on left hand side: F91-00-01 ISSUE K. Tan coloured area 'DENOTES HALF FARE SCALE'. Statements on right hand side: F27 100 SERIES HIGH DENSITY SEATING, green area on calculator indicates 'SAFETY MARGIN REQUIRED WHEN LOCKER LOADS ADJUSTED USING AVG. BAGGAGE WEIGHTS. WITH GALLEY INSTALLED ALLOW ½ % M.A.C. SAFETY MARGIN ON LIMIT. Used by NAC in operations.
Brief History
This is a seating density calculator used by NAC (National Airways Corporation).
The calculator is for the Fokker Friendship F27-100 series aircraft. It is a trim wheel used to make a mathematical calculation on the aircraft’s centre of gravity. Calculating the centre of gravity takes into account the number of people on the plane and where they are sitting, the amount of luggage on board and where it is stowed, and the equipment on the aircraft itself.
In the early days of air travel, all passengers were weighed as they checked in for their flight, and this information was calculated along with the baggage and equipment weight. Passengers were seated and luggage stowed in an arrangement that ensured an even distribution of weight throughout the aircraft. The calculation of the centre of gravity is essential to ensure a successful takeoff, and can be affected by something as simple as the number of people on the flight deck and where the cabin crew are sitting. These calculations are now all done by computer, but in the early days of passenger air travel they had to be done using a trim wheel such as this.
The New Zealand Government established NAC in 1947. NAC was the primary operator of domestic air services between major centres and provincial cities and towns, and was merged with TEAL in 1978 to form the basis for today's Air New Zealand.
The calculator is for the Fokker Friendship F27-100 series aircraft. It is a trim wheel used to make a mathematical calculation on the aircraft’s centre of gravity. Calculating the centre of gravity takes into account the number of people on the plane and where they are sitting, the amount of luggage on board and where it is stowed, and the equipment on the aircraft itself.
In the early days of air travel, all passengers were weighed as they checked in for their flight, and this information was calculated along with the baggage and equipment weight. Passengers were seated and luggage stowed in an arrangement that ensured an even distribution of weight throughout the aircraft. The calculation of the centre of gravity is essential to ensure a successful takeoff, and can be affected by something as simple as the number of people on the flight deck and where the cabin crew are sitting. These calculations are now all done by computer, but in the early days of passenger air travel they had to be done using a trim wheel such as this.
The New Zealand Government established NAC in 1947. NAC was the primary operator of domestic air services between major centres and provincial cities and towns, and was merged with TEAL in 1978 to form the basis for today's Air New Zealand.
Marks
F27 / 100 SERIES / HIGH DENSITY / SEATING Label
F25-10-52-12 Hand-written
F25-10-52-12 Hand-written
Media/Materials
Credit Line
National Airways Corporation. Calculator [Seating Density Calculator], 2007.58. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
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