Citation X (C750)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Weight And Balance
Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors
Assigned an aircraft with MEL 25-30-01; Cabin Storage Compartment (aft closet door). Crew that documented the MEL also performed the Maintenance Procedure required by MEL. Everything appeared to be correct; and we subsequently received our releases from Dispatch and flew 4 legs on the first day and one leg on the second. Preparing for our second flight on the second day; since we had not received a release; PIC contacted Dispatch to inquire. At this point we were informed that we were required to do a long form weight and balance to account for weight shift of items removed from aft closet. Since the MEL was listed on the releases; the aft closet items are part of non-variable weight; and we were receiving the releases as we normally do; I did not think about the weight shift.When speaking to the Dispatcher that caught the error; he mentioned to the PIC; that this occurred frequently and that many crews were being dispatched erroneously. Maybe a note could be added to the MEL reminding crews to perform weight balance for weight shift; or add a note in the crew messaging system; that's attached to MEL 25-30-01 to remind dispatchers and crews.
We picked up the aircraft at the Cessna Service Center. After reviewing the logbook; the aircraft had only one MEL which was just approved by the FAA to be extended. The MEL was 25-30-1 for broken aft closet hinges. The closet was previously emptied and secured prior to our acceptance of the airplane. We received releases from Dispatch for each of the 4 flights we flew on this day. The next day we received a release and flew a trip AUS. After arrival; I called Dispatch to inquire about a fuel load for the next flight. The Dispatcher asked me if I had done a long form weight and balance for the last leg we had just flew. I inquired why we would need to do a long form. The Dispatcher stated since the closet was MEL'ed we had to account for our flight bags being moved to the baggage compartment. I didn't realize this was necessary since the crew flight bags are included in the non variable weights on the weight and balance which makes up the basic operating weight of the airplane. It had not occurred to me that there would be a slight C.G. shift that wouldn't be accounted for by placing flight bags into the baggage compartment. As a result; we were dispatched and flew 5 legs without accounting for the very slight shift in C.G. I think an additional note in the MEL for 25-30-1 expanding on the need for a weight and balance calculation to account for C.G. shift would be appropriate. I also think a note in the crew messaging system whenever the closet is MEL'ed would alert dispatchers and flight crews to the need for a long form weight and balance until the MEL is cleared.
CE750 flight crew reports flying four flights with an MEL that alters the aircraft center of gravity slightly and requires a manual weight and balance calculation; without knowledge of the requirement.