• Adult male (average): 190 lbs (86 kg)
  
• Adult female (average): 160 lbs (73 kg)
  
• Heavy adult (large build): 220-250 lbs (100-113 kg)
  
• Light adult (small build): 130-150 lbs (59-68 kg)
  

• Teenager (13-17 years): 120-140 lbs (54-64 kg)
  
• Child (6-12 years): 80 lbs (36 kg)
  
• Young child (3-5 years): 40 lbs (18 kg)
  
• Infant/toddler (0-2 years): 20-30 lbs (9-14 kg)
  

• Standard baggage per passenger: 20-30 lbs (9-14 kg)
  
• Backpacker/camper gear per person: 40-60 lbs (18-27 kg)
  
• Winter clothing/survival gear add: +10-15 lbs (5-7 kg)
  
  

• 5-gallon fuel drum (empty): 5 lbs (2 kg)
  
• 5-gallon fuel drum (full): 35 lbs (16 kg) - 30 lbs fuel + container
  
• 55-gallon fuel drum (empty): 25 lbs (11 kg)
  
• 55-gallon fuel drum (full): 400 lbs (181 kg) - 375 lbs fuel + drum
  
• Jerry can 5-gal (military style): 40 lbs full (18 kg)
  

• Moose quarter (deboned): 100-150 lbs (45-68 kg)
  
• Moose quarter (bone-in): 150-200 lbs (68-91 kg)
  
• Caribou (whole, field dressed): 200-300 lbs (91-136 kg)
  
• Bear hide (rolled): 40-80 lbs (18-36 kg)
  
• Fishing gear (rods, tackle, waders): 25-40 lbs (11-18 kg)
  
• Fish cooler (50-qt, full): 60-80 lbs (27-36 kg)
  
• Fish cooler (100-qt, full): 100-120 lbs (45-54 kg)
  

• Tent (4-person, complete): 15-25 lbs (7-11 kg)
  
• Sleeping bag (cold weather): 5-8 lbs (2-4 kg)
  
• Camping stove + fuel: 10-15 lbs (5-7 kg)
  
• Inflatable raft/kayak: 30-50 lbs (14-23 kg)
  
• Chainsaw (18-20" bar) + fuel: 25-30 lbs (11-14 kg)
  
• Chainsaw fuel/bar oil (1 gal each): 15 lbs (7 kg)
  
• Generator (portable 2000W): 50-60 lbs (23-27 kg)
  

• 2x4 lumber (8 ft length): 13 lbs/board (6 kg)
  
• 2x6 lumber (8 ft length): 20 lbs/board (9 kg)
  
• Plywood sheet (4x8, 3/4"): 60 lbs (27 kg)
  
• Plywood sheet (4x8, 1/2"): 50 lbs (23 kg)
  
• Bag of concrete (80 lb): 80 lbs (36 kg)
  
• Box of roofing shingles: 60-80 lbs (27-36 kg)
  
• Toolbox (loaded contractor): 40-60 lbs (18-27 kg)
  

• Grocery box (standard family): 30-40 lbs (14-18 kg)
  
• Case of canned goods (24 cans): 35 lbs (16 kg)
  
• 50 lb bag of flour/rice: 50 lbs (23 kg)
  
• Propane cylinder (20 lb, full): 37 lbs (17 kg) - 17 lbs propane + tank
  
• Propane cylinder (100 lb, full): 170 lbs (77 kg)
  
• Cooler with frozen food: 40-80 lbs (18-36 kg)
  

• Sled dog (working husky): 45-60 lbs (20-27 kg)
  
• Dog sled (racing): 30-40 lbs (14-18 kg)
  
• Dog food (50 lb bag): 50 lbs (23 kg)
  
• Dog crate (airline approved): 15-25 lbs (7-11 kg)
  

• Weather station (complete): 30-50 lbs (14-23 kg)
  
• Radio repeater equipment: 40-80 lbs (18-36 kg)
  
• Survey equipment (theodolite/GPS): 25-40 lbs (11-18 kg)
  
• Solar panel array (portable): 30-60 lbs (14-27 kg)
  

• AvGas (100LL): 6.0 lbs/US gallon (0.72 kg/liter)
  
• Jet-A (turbine aircraft): 6.7 lbs/US gallon (0.80 kg/liter)
  

• Full tanks = 84 gal × 6 lbs = 504 lbs of fuel
  
• Half tanks = 42 gal × 6 lbs = 252 lbs of fuel
  
  

1. Start with Empty Weight (from aircraft POH/logbook)
   • Example: Cessna 185 = 1,700 lbs empty
     
2. Add Pilot Weight
   • Example: 190 lbs pilot
     
3. Add All Passengers
   • Example: 2 adults (190 + 160) + 1 child (80) = 430 lbs
     
4. Add Baggage & Cargo
   • Example: 3 camping packs (60 × 3) + chainsaw (25) + cooler (80) = 285 lbs
     
5. Add Fuel Weight
   • Example: 60 gallons × 6 lbs = 360 lbs
     
6. Calculate Total Weight
   • Example Total: 1,700 + 190 + 430 + 285 + 360 = 2,965 lbs
     
7. Compare to MTOW
   • Example: Cessna 185 MTOW = 3,350 lbs
     
   • Margin: 385 lbs remaining ✓ Safe
     

• 3 passengers @ 190 lbs avg = 570 lbs
  
• 6 grocery boxes @ 35 lbs = 210 lbs
  
• 2 propane tanks @ 37 lbs = 74 lbs
  
• Personal bags @ 25 lbs × 3 = 75 lbs
  
• Total cargo/PAX: 929 lbs
  

• 2 hunters @ 200 lbs = 400 lbs
  
• 2 full camping packs @ 60 lbs = 120 lbs
  
• Hunting rifles/ammo = 25 lbs
  
• Food for 10 days = 80 lbs
  
• Tent/stove/gear = 40 lbs
  
• Total cargo/PAX: 665 lbs
  

• 1 pilot @ 190 lbs
  
• 1 hunter @ 200 lbs
  
• 2 moose quarters @ 150 lbs = 300 lbs
  
• Antlers/cape = 60 lbs
  
• Gear = 50 lbs
  
• Total cargo/PAX: 800 lbs
  
• ⚠️ Note: May require 2 trips depending on aircraft. Moose + full fuel often exceeds MTOW!
  

• If it looks too heavy, it probably is
  
• Weigh questionable items when possible (portable luggage scale)
  
• Remember: fuel is heavy—full tanks mean less cargo capacity
  
• Consider density altitude: hot day + elevation = plan for less weight
  

• Heavy items should go as close to aircraft CG as possible
  
• Secure everything—loose cargo is dangerous cargo
  
• Distribute weight evenly side-to-side
  
• Check CG is within envelope (use aircraft loading chart)
  

• Don't always fill to max—only take fuel you need + reserve
  
• Remember: burning fuel shifts CG aft during flight
  
• For short hops, partial fuel = more cargo capacity
  
• For long hops over remote terrain, fuel takes priority
  

Quote:"When in doubt, make two trips. Nobody ever died from being too light."

• Little Navmap: Aircraft > Aircraft Performance (enter empty weight and moment arms)
  
• ForeFlight: Has built-in W&B calculator for many aircraft
  
• Spreadsheet: Create your own for your specific aircraft
  
• POH Charts: Always the official reference