ForeFlight adds new graphical weight and balance options

ForeFlight recently unveiled version 16.9 of its mobile app, continuing its monthly release schedule. This latest update includes a dynamic, graphical weight and balance (W&B) feature that provides a visual representation of your aircraft’s cabin layout right at your fingertips, making the input of passenger and payload details easier and more intuitive. Keep in mind, this feature is available with ForeFlight Performance plans and above. Here’s a step-by-step guide to set up and utilize this helpful feature:

Step 1: Access ForeFlight Web

To get started, open your web browser and navigate to ForeFlight Web. This is the platform where you will configure the Graphical Weight & Balance profiles for your aircraft.

Step 2: Navigate to the Aircraft Tab

Once logged in, find and click on the Aircraft tab. This will bring up a list of your saved aircraft profiles. Choose the aircraft for which you want to configure the graphical W&B. Scroll down to find the Weight and Balance section. Here, you can either edit an existing W&B profile or create a new one.

Step 3: Configure the Graphical Weight & Balance

In the Weight and Balance section, you’ll now see an option to View and Modify an Interactive Aircraft Interior. Enable this option to start customizing your seating arrangement and other payload areas. Adjust the layout to match the actual configuration of your aircraft, inputting the exact seating positions, baggage areas, and other payload zones. You may need to rotate seats if your airplane has club seating or add an aisle if applicable.

Step 4: Save Changes

After making the necessary adjustments, select the “Enable on mobile” toggle if so desired and save your changes. This will update the aircraft profile with the new graphical layout.

Step 5: Add the Weight and Balance Profile to a Flight

Once your profile is configured on ForeFlight Web, you can seamlessly transition to using it on ForeFlight Mobile. Open the Flights view in the ForeFlight Mobile app. Scroll down to the “Payload” section and you’ll new see a new option to add a specific Weight and Balance profile to replace the more generic payload options. Tap the green “Weight and Balance” text then select the profile that was setup in the previous step. Here, you can update passenger and payload details directly by tapping on the corresponding seat or area in the interactive aircraft layout.

Step 6: Modify the load

Tap any of the stations to adjust the planned load for this flight. You can also manually type the specific weights in the list below the profile view. Tap the back arrow to return to the flight and notice the weight and balance profile is now attached to this flight. At anytime you can edit the loading or remove the weight and balance.

Explore Additional Enhancements in ForeFlight Mobile

In addition to the Graphical Weight & Balance feature, ForeFlight has introduced several other noteworthy updates aimed at enhancing your flight planning experience:

Helicopter Airways: Helicopter operators can now view, plan, and file flight plans that include helicopter-only airways alongside existing IFR Low airways. To enable this, navigate to the Aeronautical Map Settings, toggle the Helicopter option under Airway Settings with either VFR or IFR Low Aeronautical Mode selected.

Grid MORA/LSALT Instrument: A new instrument now lets you easily view the minimum off route altitude (MORA/LSALT) for your location. This feature can be accessed from the ForeFlight Instrument Panel by tapping any slot and selecting the Grid MORA (or Grid LSALT in Australia) instrument from the Standard section. You can also enable the MORA/LSALT grid map overlay from the Aeronautical Settings list.

VFR Charts – Mexico: The Latin America VFR layer has been expanded to include government-sourced VFR charts for Mexico, offering detailed geographical and aeronautical information. These charts can be added to your ForeFlight subscription and downloaded via the More > Downloads > Region Settings menu. Additionally, FAA-sourced IFR enroute charts for the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America are included in the Latin America and U.S. regions.