Weight And Balance

Question 1

If an aircraft is loaded so that the aft CG limit is exceeded, what undesirable flight characteristic is likely to result

Answer 1

The aircraft will be tail-heavy and may be unable to recover from a stall or spin

Question 2

If all the records for an aircraft are missing, how would you determine the empty weight and empty weight CG

Answer 2

The aircraft would have to be weighed and new weight and balance records would have to be prepared

Question 3

Define Tare Weight and describe how it is handled when weighing an aircraft

Answer 3

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 net weight of the airplane

Question 4

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 reweighing the aircraft?

Answer 4

If the weight and balance records are up to date, a new weight and CG location can be determined by computation

Question 5

What is the purpose of weight and balance control?

Answer 5

For safety and efficiency in flight

Question 6

What is the Datum of an aircraft and what is its function?

Answer 6

The datum is an imaginary vertical plane at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the airplane.
It is the reference point from which all horizontal measurements are taken

Question 7

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

Answer 7

Moment is a force which tends to rotate the aircraft about one of its axes.
It is obtained by multiplying the weight of an item by the distance of the item from the datum.

Question 8

What are two ways of determining the arm of an item of equipment?

Answer 8

Measuring the distance between the item and the datum. Or using data supplied by the manufacturer

Question 9

What should be done to obtain a positive moment aft of the datum

Answer 9

Add weight

Question 10

What should be done to obtain a negative moment aft of the datum?

Answer 10

Remove weight

Question 11

What should be done to obtain a positive moment forward of the datum?

Answer 11

Remove weight

Question 12

What should be done to obtain a negative moment forward of the datum

Answer 12

Add weight

Question 13

How does the category of an aircraft affect its loaded weight

Answer 13

Aircraft certified in more than one category, such as normal and aerobatic, may have two different maximum gross weights and different useful loads

Question 14

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?

Answer 14

All equipment not permanently installed on the aircraft or included on the equipment list should be removed from the aircraft

Question 15

When weighing an aircraft to determine the empty weight CG, what must you do with regard to the fixed equipment which is normally carried in the aircraft?

Answer 15

All operations equipment, whether it is required, optional, or special equipment, must be included in the aircrafts empty weight

Question 16

Define the term “residual fuel”

Answer 16

Any fuel that remains in the tanks, lines, and engines, after the system has been drained

Question 17

Define the term “residual oil”

Answer 17

Any oil that remains in the tanks, lines, and engines, after the system has been drained

Question 18

How should you account for fuel when weighing an aircraft to determine weight and balance?

Answer 18

Either drain the fuel system until only unusable fuel remains, or fill the tanks full and subtract out the weight of usable fuel

Question 19

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

Answer 19

When weighing an aircraft with full fuel tanks, 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 20

Where are leveling instructions found and describe one method of leveling an aircraft?

Answer 20

Leveling instructions are found in the Type certificate data sheets. An aircraft may be leveled by using a spirit level at specified points
Plumb bob from a designated point along with a leveling scale or protractor

Question 21

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

Answer 21

It should be leveled per the requirements of the aircraft specifications, or type certificate data sheet

Question 22

Name one common method of leveling an aircraft during weight and balance

Answer 22

You may use a built in leveling scale and a plumb bob

Question 23

Define the term “Mean Aerodynamic Chord”

Answer 23

Is the chord drawn through the center of the wing plan area

Question 24

What are 2 common ways of representing the CG of an aircraft?

Answer 24

Inches from the datum

% of MAC

Question 25

What is an aircraft loading graph?

Answer 25

A method for determining load distribution so that the aircraft remains within its operating CG range

Question 26

What is ballast and why should you use it on an airplane?

Answer 26

Ballast is weight added to the airplane to bring its CG to the allowable or desirable range

Question 27

Installation of several new radios in the nose of an aircraft caused the forward CG limit to be exceeded. How can you correct this problem without removing the new equipment?

Answer 27

Ballast may be installed in the tail to move the CG aft

Question 28

How does the CG range of a helicopter compare to that of a fixed wing airplane?

Answer 28

Helicopters typically have a much smaller CG range

Question 29

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

Answer 29

The CG location in a helicopter is much more critical than fixed wing aircraft.
CG range in helicopters will be less than three inches

Question 30

What items concerning weight and balance can be found in the TCDS?

Answer 30

CG limits.      Fuel capacity and location
Datum.        Oil weight and location
Max weight.        Engine horsepower
Leveling means
Seat locations
Baggage capacity

Question 31

What is meant “minimum fuel” and how is it calculated for weight and balance?

Answer 31

The amount of fuel needed for an extreme condition check, to see if the center of gravity will be out of limits in that situation.
Maximum except takeoff horsepower divided by 2

Question 32

What is meant by the center of gravity range?

Answer 32

It is the distance in inches from the most forward acceptable center of gravity to the most rearward acceptable center of gravity

Question 33

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

Answer 33

When the empty weight CG falls within the empty weight CG range, it is unnecessary to perform a weight and balance check if standard loading and seating arrangements are used

Question 34

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

Answer 34

In front of the center of lift

Question 35

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

Answer 35

No

Question 36

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

Answer 36

It should be maintained in the airplane flight manual or weight and balance records.
(IAW FAR 23.1583)

Question 37

How should aircraft fuel be drained for weight and balance?

Answer 37

Level the aircraft per the TCDS and then drain the fuel system until empty, which will leave unusable fuel in the system

Question 38

What are the placard requirements for ballast?

Answer 38

The ballast location must have a placard stating any limitations on contents, including weight, that are necessary under the loading requirements

Question 39

What is recommended for marking permanent ballast?

Answer 39

In red paint, mark with “permanent ballast, do not remove”

Question 40

Describe a plumb bob and it’s use

Answer 40

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