General Chapter 06 Flashcards
Weight and Balance
If an aircraft is loaded so that the aft C.G. limit is exceeded, what undesirable flight characteristic is likely to result?
The aircraft will be tail-heavy and may be unable to recover from a stall or spin.
If all the records for an aircraft are missing, how would you determine the empty weight and empty weight C.G.?
The aircraft would have to be weighed, and new weight and balance records would have to be prepared.
Define “tare weight” and describe how it is handled when weighing an aircraft.
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.
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?
If the weight and balance records are up to date, a new weight and C.G. location can be determined by computation.
Why is control of the weight and balance of an aircraft important?
To provide maximum safety.
What is the datum of an aircraft and what is its function?
The datum is an imaginary vertical plane at right angles to the Iongitudinal axis of the airplane. It is the reference point from which all horizontal measurements are taken.
How do you determine the moment of an item of equipment?
The weight of the item is multiplied by its arm, which is the distance between the item and the datum.
What are two ways of determining the arm of an item of equipment?
Measure the distance between the item and the datum, or use data supplied by the manufacturer.
What should be done to obtain a positive (plus) moment aft of the datum?
Add weight.
What should be done to obtain a negative (minus) moment aft of the datum?
Remove weight.
What should be done to obtain a positive (plus) moment forward of the datum?
Remove weight.
What should be done to obtain a negative (minus) moment forward of the datum?
Add weight.
How does the category of an aircraft affect its loaded weight?
Aircraft certificated in more than one category, such as Normal and Aerobatic, may have two different maximum gross weights and different useful loads.
As you prepare an aircraft for weighing, you determine that there is equipment aboard that is not permanently installed and recorded on the equipment list. What should you do with this equipment?
All equipment not permanently installed in the aircraft or included on the equipment list should be removed from the aircraft.
Define the term “residual fuel”
Any fuel that remains in the tanks, lines, and engines, after the system has been drained.
