Testing – The National Institute for Aviation Research WERX Program Selects Intercomp Scales for Weight and Balance Operations

Intercomp Company (United States) – Intercomp, the world’s leading manufacturer of aircraft scales, announced that the WERX program at Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR), has completed installation and training on Intercomp’s AC60-LP™ scale system, purchased for service at the Kansas Modification Center adjacent to McConnell Air Force Base. NIAR has partnered with the Kansas Modification Center (KMC) to carry out passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversion to meet the growing need of MRO and conversion programs.

“A modified aircraft must pass Weight and Balance Certification signed off by FAA Certified A&P mechanics, making it crucial to incorporate weight and balance procedures into any conversion program.” explained Pat McIntyre, Director of Weight and Balance Training at Intercomp. “Having engineers and maintenance technicians on the team who have successfully completed our program and received a certificate of training streamlines the process as the conversion is completed.”

Using a Boeing 777-300ER passenger aircraft, 29 students received practical instruction with a set of intrinsically safe AC60-LP™ scales. Five students received additional training using Intercomp’s ACWeigh Software that manages the entire weighing process and keeps records of information like inventory adjustments, scale calibration and aircraft type. Records can then be used to generate reports in a fully searchable spreadsheet.

With 0.1% accuracy and the highest levels of repeatability, the AC60-LP™ is used in sets of 3 to 24 scales to accommodate narrow and widebody aircraft with wheel weights up to 60,000 lb (30,000 kg) or more. Intercomp’s industry leading solid-state fully electronic load cell technology eliminates scale warm-up time, mitigates side loads, and removes the need for centering of tires on the active weighing platform. The scales are low profile to minimize towing distance for ramps and are constructed from aerospace grade machined aluminum to handle the heavy operational demands of cargo conversions.

The NIAR WERX P2F program recently added two new aircraft to its conversion portfolio, making the AC60-LP™ scale’s versatility across multiple aircraft prominent in the decision to purchase the set of scales. Intercomp’s reputation as the equipment most widely used by airlines, MROs, and airframe manufacturers around the world, the quality of the software, and the ability to have their engineers and maintenance technicians receive weight and balance certification, were other important factors.

About NIAR:

The National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) was established at Wichita State University in 1985 in an effort to increase research and development capabilities, focused on the needs of the Air Capital of the World. NIAR provides research, design, testing, certification and training to the aviation manufacturing industries and government agencies including the U.S. Department of Defense.

About Intercomp:

Intercomp Company is the world’s largest manufacturer of portable weighing and measurement products, including industry-leading fully electronic aircraft weighing systems relied upon by the leading airframe manufacturers, airlines, and MROs worldwide. Headquartered in Medina, Minnesota, Intercomp is ISO 9001:2015 certified, with manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and the United Kingdom.