Extra Questions Flashcards
Aircraft Category
Normal, Utility, Transport, Aerobatic, Limited, Restricted, Provisional
Aircraft Class
Fixed Wing Airplane, Rotorcraft, Glider, Balloon
Airmen Category
Fixed Wing Airplane, Rotorcraft, Glider, Lighter-than-Air
Airmen Class
SEL, MEL, SES, MES, gyroplane, helicopter, airship, free balloon
Center of Gravity (CG)
Balance point, is the point at which all of the weight of the aircraft is concentrated.
Three dimensional point with longitudinal, lateral, and vertical positioning in the aircraft.
Total Moment/Total Weight.
Gross Weight
Total weight of the airplane .
- Airplane itself
- Pilot and Passengers
- Baggage
- Fuel
Empty Weight
- Airplane itself
- Installed items
- Could also include unusable fuels/oil *check POH
Arm
Horizontal distance from the datum to the CG of the airplane.
Moment
Arm x Weight (measured in pound-inches)
Loading Forward CG
Increased Longitudinal Stability
Nose Heavy - excessive loads on the nose wheel
Slower Cruise Speed - requires higher angle of attack (more lift) which results in more drag. Also requires a stronger tail down force.
Higher Stall Speed
Higher Control Forces
Overall Decreased Performance
Loading Aft CG
Decreased Static and Dynamic Stability
Control Difficulty
Violent Stall Characteristics - difficult or sometimes impossible to recover from a stall
Light Control Surfaces
More maneuverable - F-18’s fly with Aft CG
Higher Cruise Speed - less tail down force
Load Factor
Any force applied to an aircraft to deflect its flight from a straight line produces a stress on its structure. The amount of this force
is the load factor. Measured in G’s.