Definitions and terms Flashcards
Standard empty weight
is the weight of the airframe, engines and all items of operating weight that have fixed locations and are permanently installed in the aircraft (includes unusable fuel, full operating fluids, and full oil)
Basic empty weight
includes the standard empty weight plus any optional equipment that has been installed
Basic Operating Weight
the empty weight of the aircraft plus the weight of the required crew, their baggage and other standard item such as meals and potable water
Fuel dumping (Jettison)
is a procedure used by an aircraft in certain emergency situations before a return to the airport shortly after takeoff, or before landing short of its intended destination to lighten aircraft’s weight.
Maximum ramp weight
is the total weight of a loaded aircraft and includes all fuel. It is greater than the takeoff weight due to the fuel that will be burned during the taxi and run up operations.
Taxi weight
fuel that will be burned during the taxi and run up operations.
Maximum zero fuel weight
Not generally applicable to light airplanes. This limit is imposed to ensure that stresses on the wing caused by the upward lift forces in flight are not excessive.
Maximum usable fuel
Maximum fuel available during flight
Payload
weight of the occupants, cargo, and baggage
Ballast
Weight added in order to shift the center of gravity
Tare
refers to the weight of chocks, blocks, stands, etc. which is used in weighing the aircraft which is included in the scale reading. However, this must be subtracted from the weight obtained when performing computations
maximum useful load
is the difference between Maximum Takeoff Weight and Basic Empty Weight. It consists of pilot, payload, and fuel.
Floor Load
is the maximum weight the floor can sustain per square inch/foot as provided by the manufacturer.
Gross weight
is the actual total weight of the airplane and its contents at any particular time. It is also the Empty Weight plus the pilot(s), payload (passengers and cargo), added ballast and fuel load
Moment or index
a moment divided by a constant such as 100, 1000, or 10,000. The index simplifies
weight and balance computations for airplane when heavy items and long arms resultin large, unmanageable numbers.
Moment of a Force
The moment of a force is its turning effect, and it depends on two things
1. the size (magnitude) of the force 1.
2. its moment arm
Center of gravity
point at which the entire weight of the aircraft is assumed to be concentrated and would balance if suspended. It is the condition where the counterclockwise turning moments are balanced by the clockwise turning moments.
Center of gravity limits
Center of gravity limits are specified longitudinal and/or lateral limits within which the aircraft’s center of gravity must be located during flight. The CG limits are indicated in the airplane flight manual
Center of gravity range
is the distance between the forward and aft C.G. limits indicated on pertinent airplane specifications
Datum (Reference datum)
is an imaginary vertical plane or line from which all measurements of arm are taken. The datum is established by the manufacturer. Once the datum has been selected, all moment arms and the location of C.G. range are measured from this point
Station
is a location in the airplane that is identified by a number designating its distance in inches from the datum. The datum is, therefore, identified as station zero. An item located at station +50 would have an arm of 50 inches.
