Aircraft weight and balance concepts

Question 1

Since weight and balance directly affects the efficiency and safety of an aircraft, a ____________weight and balance control system is used which allows the SMA to check weight limits before takeoff

Answer 1

standardized

Question 2

In addition to checking weight, it is necessary to know that the aircraft is ____________ within the limits established by the manufacturer.

Answer 2

balanced

Question 3

The _____________ _______of an aircraft can be determined by locating its center of gravity (CG)

Answer 3

balance point

Question 4

An imaginary point where the aircraft would balance if freely suspended in air

Answer 4

center of gravity (CG)

Question 5

The CG limits specify the __________ and ______ center of gravity locations within which an aircraft can safely operate.

Answer 5

forward

aft

Question 6

The center of gravity and CG limits are usually specified in ___________ from a reference line in front of the aircraft.

Answer 6

inches

Question 7

The reference point that represents an imaginary vertical plane from which all horizontal distances are measured, in inches, for balance purposes is called the _________ _______ _______ (______) .

Answer 7

Reference Datum Line (RDL)

Question 8

The Reference Datum Line (RDL) is normally the first line drawn on the ________ ___________ and it is placed forward of the aircraft nose to ensure that all measurements used in the weight and balance computations are positive.

Answer 8

design sketches

Question 9

The RDL for instructional purposes in this course is located ____ inches forward of the aircraft nose

Answer 9

30

Question 10

The horizontal distance in inches from the reference datum line to the center of gravity for any object on the aircraft

Answer 10

arm

Question 11

The weight of an item in pounds multiplied by the arm in inches. It is the torque the aircraft weight would produce relative to the reference datum line.

Answer 11

moment

Question 12

The measurement unit for the moment is the:

Answer 12

inch-pound

Question 13

Weight is a __________ which means it is a unit that has magnitude and direction

Answer 13

vector

Question 14

The mass (magnitude) of an object multiplied by the value of gravity.

Answer 14

weight

Question 15

Since gravity affects all the objects on an aircraft in the same way, weight is ____________ to an object’s mass which is measured in pounds.

Answer 15

proportional

Question 16

An objects mass is measured in

Answer 16

pounds

Question 17

Represents an imaginary vertical plane from which all horizontal distances are measured, in inches, for balance purposes

Answer 17

Reference Datum Line (RDL)

Question 18

The reference datum line (RDL) is placed forward of the aircraft nose to ensure that all measurements used in the weight and balance computations are _________

Answer 18

positive

Question 19

Aircraft diagrams show the reference datum line as ___________ __________ _________

Answer 19

fuselage station zero

Question 20

A vertical plane, parallel to the RDL, identified by a number equal to its distance from the RDL, which identifies particular points in the airplane by telling you how far you are from the RDL

Answer 20

fuselage station

Question 21

The balance point of of an aircraft, or aircraft center of gravity arm (CGA), is found by dividing the _________ __________ (____) by the __________ __________ (_____) of the aircraft

Answer 21

total moment (TM)
total weight (TW)

Question 22

The result, or balance point of an aircraft, found by dividing the total moment (TM) by the total weight (TW) of the aircraft.

Answer 22

Aircraft Center of Gravity Arm (CGA) or Average Arm

Question 23

The distance in inches from the RDL to the center of gravity of the aircraft

Answer 23

Aircraft Center of Gravity Arm (CGA)

Question 24

The aircraft center of gravity arm (CGA) in an important part in planning the balance of the aircraft and needs to be more precise than the cargo numbers, for this reason it is rounded to __________________

Answer 24

the tenth of an inch

Question 25

The sum of the moments of all items making up the basic weight of the aircraft and recorded on DD form 365-3 (Chart C)

Answer 25

Basic Moment

Question 26

The weight of the aircraft as it is equipped to fly before adding crew, fuel and other items available to load. It may vary due to equipment and structural changes, and it is recorded on the DD form 365-3 (Chart C)

Answer 26

Basic Weight

Question 27

The average arm or CG of a compartment, fuel tank, piece of equipment, cargo, etc.

Answer 27

Centroid