Chapter 6 - Weight and Balance - Oral Questions

Question 1

If an aircraft is loaded so that the aft C.G. 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

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

Answer 2

Aircraft would have to be re-weighed and new weight and balance records would have to be prepared

Question 3

Define “tare weight” and describe how it is handled when weighing an aircraft

Answer 3

Tare weight is 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

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

A new weight and C.G. location can be determined by computation (the action of mathematical calculation)

Question 5

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

Answer 5

maximum safety

Question 6

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

Answer 6

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

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

Answer 7

Multiply the weight of the item by its arm, which is the distance between the item and the datum

Question 8

What are two ways of determining the moment 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

What should be done to obtain a positive (plus) moment aft of the datum?

Answer 9

Add weight

Question 10

What should be done to obtain a negative (minus) moment aft of the datum?

Answer 10

Remove weight

Question 11

What should be done to obtain a positive (plus) moment forward of the datum?

Answer 11

Remove weight

Question 12

What should be done to obtain a negative (minus) moment forward of the datum?

Answer 12

Add weight

Question 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 two different maximum gross weights and different useful loads

Question 14

What should be done with equipment that is not permanently installed and recorded on the equipment list when weighing an aircraft?

Answer 14

remove from aircraft

Question 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

Define “Residual Oil”

Answer 16

Any oil left in tanks, lines, and engines after system has been drained

Question 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 and subtract out the weight of the fuel except unusable

Question 18

Where are leveling instructions found and describe one method of leveling an aircraft

Answer 18

Leveling instructions are found in the TCDS. Aircraft may be leveled by using a spirit level at specified points, or by using a plumb bob from a designated point along with a leveling scale or protractor

Question 19

Define Mean Aerodynamic Chord

Answer 19

MAC is the chord drawn through the center of the wing plan area

Question 20

Describe the two most common ways of showing the CG location and/or CG range

Answer 20

In inches from the datum or as a percent of MAC

Question 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

What is ballast and why is it used in aircraft?

Answer 22

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

Question 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

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

Answer 24

Helicopters typically have a much smaller CG range