Basic Aircraft Load Control Training Course
Weight & Balance training for Load Controllers and Load Planners
Introduction
The aircraft weight and balance environment is complex and high pressure, requiring personnel to manage time critical operations across multiple aircraft types, operational limitations and regulatory requirements. The role of the Load Controller is central to ensuring safe, compliant and efficient aircraft operations, whether operating in a local or centralised load control environment.
This aircraft weight and balance training course provides a structured progression from fundamental principles of load control and weight and balance calculations through to more advanced techniques. The course begins with narrowbody aircraft scenarios before progressing to widebody aircraft operations, reflecting real world airline practices.
While the first part of the course focuses on core theory and regulatory understanding, the second half is highly practical, featuring weight and balance exercises, load sheet preparation and full documentation scenarios. These realistic simulations are designed to develop operational competence and prepare participants for final assessment.
This is an intensive load control training programme, requiring pre-course study and ongoing engagement throughout.
The course is fully aligned with the latest requirements of IATA AHM 1110 (LOD01-04) and applicable sections of (EASA) PART CAT EU 965/2012, ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulatory frameworks.
Duration: 5 days
Maximum participants: 10 per course.
Delivery method: Theory (Classroom), instructor-led and some homework.
Continuing qualification: IATA recommends that refresher training is undertaken every 36 months.
This course is often combined with our Turnaround Coordinator training course.
We also offer a Loadmaster Training Course, which covers similar aircraft weight and balance principles but includes key differences tailored to the Loadmaster role and operational responsibilities.
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1. Why is it important?
Aircraft weight and balance is a critical safety function that directly impacts aircraft performance, stability and regulatory compliance. Incorrect loading or calculation errors can have serious operational and safety consequences. Effective load control ensures that aircraft operate within structural and performance limits, supporting safe, efficient and compliant flight operations.
In a fast paced ground handling environment, Load Controllers must manage time critical decisions, multiple data inputs and operational pressures, making accuracy, situational awareness and technical knowledge essential.
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2. Who should attend?
Existing or new Load Planners, Load Controllers of a GHSP or an Airline, and anyone who requires detailed knowledge of this subject would benefit from attending this course.
Please note: This training is delivered exclusively as an in-company course for organisations. It is not available to private individuals.
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3. Course objectives
To provide participants with the knowledge and practical skills required to accurately calculate, prepare and verify aircraft weight and balance documentation in accordance with industry standards.
The course aims to develop competence in load control procedures, aircraft limitations and regulatory requirements, enabling participants to support safe, compliant and efficient aircraft operations.
Key topics
Aircraft weight & balance principles
Structural weights
Standard and actual weights
Fuel
Principles of balance
Structural strength limits
General philosophy
Limitations (loading, compatibility)
Dangerous Goods
Labelling & marking
Undeclared dangerous goods
Storage & loading
NOTOC
Emergency procedures
Load Control & distribution
Consequences of improper loading
Unit Load Devices (ULD)
Aircraft hold limitations
Loading restraint systems
Securing of load
Loading Instruction Report (LIR)
Load Planning
Fuel Planning
Load & Trim Sheet
Load messaging
High Quality Training Materials
Transferring knowledge and skills through the training process can be a demanding activity. Regulation and industry best practice demands that the standard of training is always high.
We supply several organisations with training material for a range of ground operations and ground handling training. Whether it's off the shelf or bespoke, our material is designed to not only be compliant and up-to-date, but also relevant, easy to follow and engaging.
To that make sure that the course material is fully absorbed we have placed an intense focus on producing high quality training materials that can be referred back to by the student whenever they need.
The quality and variety of material, that is used within the training environment, is essential for maintaining engagement, and delivering your training objectives.
Writing training material can be a complex and time-consuming job for any organisation. Ensuring that content is aligned, compliant and appropriately approved can be an arduous task at the best of times, but ensuring that it's also interesting and effective makes it more of a challenge, but we are here to help you.
This is a highly cost effective method of outsourcing a critical but time-consuming task. Whether we design your sessions, train your instructors to deliver our material or whether we deliver it in its entirety, we are likely to have a solution that will meet your requirement.
Typically, material sets can include any or all of:
Participants Guide - provides supplementary, lower level detail to complement the instructors presentation
Instructors Guide - includes lesson plans and a step by step guide on each session
Slide Pack - includes comprehensive visual aids and high level information for participants
Hand-outs - exercises and relevant information for participants
Ready to work together?
Get in touch with us today if this training course sounds right for your workforce and we will get back to you for a consultation.
Alternatively, should you have any specific requirements we would be happy to carry out a detailed training needs analysis to establish what best suits your organisation.
Please note: we only provide this training course for our clients as an 'in company' training course. Unfortunately, we don't offer this course for private individuals.
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