Weight and balance

Question 1

What is the datum and it’s purpose when making weight and balance computations?

Answer 1

Imaginary line in front of aircraft which the reference point from which all measurements are taken

Question 2

what items concerning weight and balance could be found in the TCDS?

Answer 2

Datum, 
CG,
 unusable fuel and oil,
 baggage capacity,
 Seat locations,
 fuel capacity,
 leveling means,
 engine horsepower,
 weight maximum,

Question 3

what is the purpose of weight and balance control?

Answer 3

For safety and efficiency in flight

Question 4

when computing weight and balance what is the moment and how is it obtained?

Answer 4

Moment is a force which tends to rotate the aircraft about one of its axes.

Weight x Arm = Moment

Question 5

How would a negative moment be obtained forward of the datum?

Answer 5

adding weight

Question 6

what is the arm of an item and how is it obtained?

Answer 6

distance measured from datum. To obtain one can actually measure it or get it from weight and balance records.

Question 7

What is tear weight and how is it handled when making weight and balance calculations?

Answer 7

Tare weight is equipment used for wing aircraft such as chocks and blocks jacks and chains. It must be subtracted from scale readings in order to obtain empty weight.

Question 8

what is meant by minimum fuel and how is it calculated for and weight and balance?

Answer 8

Amount of fuel needed for extreme condition check, to see if the center of gravity will be out of limits in that situation. to find minimum fuel use calculation (METO divided by 2)

Question 9

what is meant by residual fuel?

Answer 9

left over fuel in the lines, sump, and engine

Question 10

What is meant by the center of gravity range?

Answer 10

The distance in inches from the miles forward acceptable center of gravity to the most rearward acceptable center of gravity

Question 11

what is an aircraft loading graph?

Answer 11

Method for determining load distribution

Question 12

How would you determine the empty weight and empty weight cg if all records are missing?

Answer 12

Re-weigh the aircraft and calculate new weight and balance records

Question 13

What is the difference between fixed wing and rotor wing aircraft CG ranges?

Answer 13

CG of a helicopter is much more critical (forward, aft, port, starboard must be calculated)

Question 14

when weighing an aircraft to determine the empty weight CG what must you do regarding the fix equipment which is normally carried in the aircraft?

Answer 14

It must be included in the Aircraft empty weight.

Question 15

Why do some manufacturers specify an empty CG even though the aircraft is not operated at this empty weight

Answer 15

When the empty weight CG falls within the empty weight CG range it is unnecessary to perform weight and balance

Question 16

Why must the aircraft category be considered when computing weight and balance?

Answer 16

some aircraft are certified under normal and utility category.

2 different useful load calculations

Question 16

Where Center of gravity located in relation to the aerodynamic center of lift for most airplanes?

Answer 16

In front of the center of lift

Question 17

What are two common ways of representing the CG of an aircraft?

Answer 17

Inches from the Dedham,

or percent of mean aerodynamic cord (MAC)

Question 18

is there a federal regulation that requires the regular reweighing of private aircraft?

Answer 18

no

Question 19

Where is must a record of the most recent empty weight and center of gravity be kept?

Answer 19

In the airplane flight manual or weight and balance records

FAR 23.1583

Question 20

what should be done in regard to aircraft fuel when performing a weight and balance when draining is not an option?

Answer 20

The exact weight per gallon should be verified with a hydrometer. Then the weight of the usable fuel must be mathematically subtracted in the weight and balance calculations.

Question 21

How should aircraft fuel be drained for weight and balance?

Answer 21

Level the aircraft burns a TCDS then drain fuel system until empty, which will leave on usable fuel in the system.

Question 22

What is a ballast?

Answer 22

Which are placed in aircraft to obtain a desired CG location

Question 23

if the forward CG limit of an aircraft is exceeded after installing several items in the engine compartment, how could the limit be returned to limits without removing or changing any of the newly installed equipment?

Answer 23

by adding ballast weight in the rear of the aircraft

Question 24

what are placard requirements for ballast?

Answer 24

Ballast location must have placard stating any limitations on contents including weight that are necessary under the loading requirements.

Question 25

What is recommended for marking of permanent ballast?

Answer 25

In red paint, mark with “Permanent Ballast, do not remove”

Question 26

how should an aircraft be leveled for weighing during weight and balance?

Answer 26

Per requirements of aircraft specifications or TCDS

Question 27

Name one commonly used method of leveling an aircraft during weight and balance?

Answer 27

Using a built in leveling scale and a plumb bob

Question 28

describe a plumb bob and its use?

Answer 28

heavy object in the shape of a cone that os used to determine a spot directly beneath the point the tool is hanging from

Question 29

how can you determine if a part will affect the CG without weighing the aircraft?

Answer 29

basic computations if weight and balance records are up to date.