# Load and Trim Sheet: Legal Mass-Balance Record and Take-off Trim

> Understand the load and trim sheet structure, legal responsibilities, mass build-up checks, CG determination, and resulting take-off stabilizer trim setting.

- **Subject:** 031 — Mass and Balance
- **Section:** 031-05 — Determination of CG Position
- **Topic code:** 031-05-02
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-04-01
- **Author:** Pablo Asensio Martínez
- **HTML version:** https://pilotsyllabus.com/en/mass-and-balance/determination-of-cg-position/load-and-trim-sheet/

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## Purpose

The **Load and Trim Sheet** is the legal record of the aircraft's mass and balance calculation for a specific flight. It serves two main purposes:
1.  **Mass Check**: Ensures MTOM, MLM, and MZFM limits are respected.
2.  **Balance Check**: Ensures the CG is within limits and determines the take-off trim setting.

![Load and trim sheet](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6c/Load_and_trim_sheet_%C3%B6rne%C4%9Fi.jpg)

## Sections of the Sheet

### 1. Header
Flight number, date, registration, crew configuration (e.g., 2/4), and airport codes.

### 2. Loading Distribution
Breakdown of passengers and cargo in each zone/hold.
*   **Traffic Load**: Sum of all passengers, bags, and cargo.

### 3. Mass Build-up
*   **Dry Operating Mass (DOM)**
*   **+ Traffic Load**
*   **= Zero Fuel Mass (ZFM)** (Check against MZFM limit)
*   **+ Take-off Fuel**
*   **= Take-Off Mass (TOM)** (Check against MTOM and Performance/Runway limits)
*   **- Trip Fuel**
*   **= Estimated Landing Mass (ELM)** (Check against MLM)

### 4. Trim Calculation (Balance)
Uses an index system (graphical "drop line" or numerical table) to calculate the final Index or %MAC.
*   **Result**: The Take-off CG position (usually in %MAC).
*   **Action**: Determines the **THS (Trimmable Horizontal Stabilizer)** or Trim Wheel setting required for take-off (e.g., "4.5 Units UP" or "28%").

## Commander's Signature
The commander (captain) must sign the load sheet, accepting responsibility that the loading is within limits.

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