Helicopter Weight/Balance Performance Charts (10/28/22)

Question 1

Basic Empty Weight (aka Empty Weight) (4 items)

Answer 1

• Helicopter
• Installed equipment
• Unusable fuel
• Hydraulic fluid and oil

Question 2

Payload (3 items)

Answer 2

• Passengers
• Baggage
• Cargo

Question 3

Gross Weight

Answer 3

Empty Weight + Payload + Pilots + Fuel

Question 4

Max Gross Weight

Answer 4

Maximum allowable weight for safe operation

Question 5

R22 Beta Max Gross Weight

Answer 5

1370 lbs

Question 6

Minimum Gross Weight

Answer 6

Minimum allowable weight for safe autorotation

Question 7

R22 Beta II Min Gross Weight

Answer 7

920 lbs

Question 8

Useful load

Answer 8

Max Gross Weight - Empty Weight (How much can we carry)

Question 9

R22 Beta II Useful load

Answer 9

500 lbs

Question 10

Datum

Answer 10

Imaginary line, used as a reference point for measuring loading position in weight and balance calculations

Question 11

R22 Datum

Answer 11

100” forward of main rotor mast

Question 12

Arm

Answer 12

Distance of the load from the datum (measured in inches). Can be positive or negative

Question 13

Moment

Answer 13

Combination of the weight and the position of the load (measured in pound-inches) Can be positive or negative

Weight x Arm = Moment

Question 14

Weight/Balance equation

Answer 14

Moment = Weight x Arm

Question 15

Center of Gravity

Answer 15

Point where helicopter will be balanced (measured in inches)

Question 16

Center of Gravity equation

Answer 16

CG = Total Moment divided by Total Weight

Arm is CG (taken from this equation Arm x Weight = Moment)

Question 17

Longitudinal

Answer 17

Forward/Back

Question 18

Lateral

Answer 18

Side-to-side

Question 19

Lateral (positive vs. negative)

Answer 19

Positive is to the right (pilot side) Negative is to the left

Question 20

Two ways of calculating Weight and Balance

Answer 20

Computation and Graphically

Question 21

Effects of Overloading (6 items)

Answer 21

• Longer takeoff and landing
• Excessive loads on structure
• Maneuverability reduced
• Rate and angle of climb reduced
• Service ceiling reduced
• Cruise range and speed is reduced

Question 22

CG too far forward

Answer 22

• Nose down
• May not be able to pull back to decelerate
• May not be able to flare in autorotation
• Made worse by burning fuel

Question 23

CG too far backward

Answer 23

• Nose high
• Solo pilot and full fuel
• Gust may cause loss of control or flap blades back and boom strike
• May strive tail on landing