6 Weight And Balance

Question 1

1. If an aircraft is loaded so that the aft CG limit is exceeded, what undesirable flight characteristic is likely to result?

Answer 1

The aircraft will be tail heavy and may be unable to recover from a stall or spin.

Question 2

2. If all the records for an aircraft are missing, how would you determine the empty weight and empty weight CG?

Answer 2

The aircraft would have to be weighed, and new weight and balance records would have to be prepared.

Question 3

3. Define tare weight and describe how it is handled when weighing an aircraft.

Answer 3

The weight of anything on the scales that is not part of the aircraft. It must be subtracted from the scale weight reading to determine the net weight of the airplane.

Question 4

4. If a piece of equipment such as a radio is added to an aircraft, how can you determine the effect on weight and balance without re-weighing the aircraft?

Answer 4

If the weight and balance records are up to date, a new weight and CG location can be determined by computation.

Question 5

5. Why is control of the weight and balance of an aircraft important?

Answer 5

To provide maximum safety.

Question 6

6. What is the datum of an aircraft and what is its function?

Answer 6

The datum is an imaginary vertical plane at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the airplane. It is the reference point from which all horizontal measurements are taken.

Question 7

7. How do you determine the moment of an item of equipment?

Answer 7

The weight of the item is multiplied by its arm, which is the distance between the item and the datum.

Question 8

8. What are 2 ways of determining the arm of an item of equipment?

Answer 8

Measure the distance between the item and the datum, or use data supplied by the manufacturer.

Question 9

9. What should be done to obtain a positive moment aft of the datum?

Answer 9

Add weight.

Question 10

10. What should be done to obtain a negative moment aft of the datum?

Answer 10

Remove weight.

Question 11

11. What should be done to obtain a positive moment forward of the datum?

Answer 11

Remove weight.

Question 12

12. What should be done to obtain a negative moment forward of the datum?

Answer 12

Add weight.

Question 13

13. How does the category of an aircraft affect its loaded weight?

Answer 13

Aircraft certificated in more than one category, such as Normal and Aerobatic, may have 2 different maximum gross weights and different useful loads.

Question 14

14. As you prepare an aircraft for weighing, you determine that there is equipment aboard that isn’t permanently installed and recorded on the equipment list. What should you do with this equipment?

Answer 14

All equipment not permanently installed in the aircraft or included on the equipment list should be removed from the aircraft.

Question 15

15. Define the term residual fuel.

Answer 15

Any fuel that remains in the tanks, lines, and engines, after the system has been drained.

Question 16

16. Define the term residual oil.

Answer 16

Any oil that remains in the tanks, lines, and engines, after the system has been drained.

Question 17

17. How should you account for fuel when weighing an aircraft to determine weight and balance?

Answer 17

Either drain the fuel system until only unusable fuel remains, or fill the tanks full and subtract out the weight of the usable fuel.

Question 18

18. Where are leveling instructions found, and describe one method of leveling an aircraft?

Answer 18

In the TCDS. An aircraft may be leveled by using a spirit level at specified points, or an aircraft may be leveled by using a plumb bob from a designated point along with a leveling scale or protractor.

Question 19

19. Define the term Mean Aerodynamic Chord.

Answer 19

The chord drawn through the center of the wing plan area

Question 20

20. Describe the 2 most common ways of showing the CG location and/or range.

Answer 20

In inches from the datum or in percent of MAC.

Question 21

21. What is the purpose of an aircraft loading graph?

Answer 21

It is a method for determining how to distribute the load so as to keep the CG within allowable limits.

Question 22

22. What is ballast and why would you use it in an airplane?

Answer 22

Ballast is weight added to an airplane to bring its CG into the allowable or desired range.

Question 23

23. Installation of several new radios in the nose of an aircraft causes the forward CG limit to be exceeded. How can you correct this problem without removing the new equipment?

Answer 23

Ballast may be installed in the tail to move the CG aft.

Question 24

24. How does the CG range of a helicopter compare to that of a fixed wing airplane?

Answer 24

Helicopters typically have a much smaller CG range.