Weight and Balance Flashcards
What should be done concerning fuel when performing weight and balance?
Drain the fuel system until only unusable fuel remains, or fill the tanks and subtract out the weight of the usable fuel.
What is the purpose of aircraft weight and balance?
Safety and maximum performance
How would you determine the empty weight center gravity of an aircraft if all the weight and balance records are missing?
The aircraft must be weighed and a new weight and balance record must be computed and recorded
What is the datum?
It is it imaginary vertical plane, from which all horizontal measurements are taken
How is the arm of an item of equipment obtained when computing aircraft weight and balance?
Measuring the distance between the item and the datum.
How is the moment of an item of equipment obtained when computing aircraft weight and balance?
Weight x Arm = Moment
What is the tare weight and how is it handled when making weight and balance calculations?
Is the weight of all extra items, jacks, blocks, chocks on the weighing process scale platforms, and subtracted from the final results of the weighing.
What is an aircraft loading graph?
A method for determining load distribution to keep the weight and operating center of gravity within approved range
Why is accurate up-to-date empty weight center of gravity data so important?
Because all other weight and balance calculations are based on empty weight set of gravity
Why is aircraft category a factor with computing, weight and balance?
Aircraft certified in both normal and utility categories have two useful loads due to different gross weights.
How is a positive (+) moment obtained aft of the datum?
Add weight. (+weight) (+arm) = +
How is a negative (-) moment obtained aft of the datum?
(-weight) (+arm) = (-)
How is a positive (+) moment obtained forward of the datum?
Remove weight (+weight) (-arm) = - Remove
How is a negative moment obtained forward of the datum?
Add weight. (-weight) (-arm) = +Add
What is meant by the term residual fuel?
It is the fuel that remains in the tanks, lines and engines after draining
What is it meant by the term residual oil?
It is the oil that remains in the tanks, lines and engines after draining
List items found in the TCDS that is of concern to aircraft weight and balance
CG ranges, max weight, leveling means, number of seats, baggage capacity, fuel, datum, engine horsepower, oil capacity, amount of fuel, amount of oil
What leveling methods are used in weight and balance procedures?
Use spirit level at the manufactures designated leveling points or use a built-in leveling scale or protractor and plumb bob
Describe a plum-bob and its use?
A sharp pointed cylinder or cone shaped heavy metal object used to determine a spot that is 90° to the point the plum bob is hanging from
What is a ballast and why is it used on aircraft?
Ballast is any weight added or removed to obtain a desired center gravity
How can you determine the effect of a new item of equipment on the aircraft weight and balance without weighing the aircraft?
The effect can be determined by basic computations, if the weight and balance records are up-to-date
What is the recommended markings for a permanent ballast?
“Permanent Ballast” do not remove in red paint
The forward center of gravity limit of an aircraft is exceeded by installation of several items of equipment in the engine compartment. How can this be corrected without removing or changing any of the newly installed equipment?
Use ballast in an aircraft to obtain the desired CG balance
What is the difference between fixed wing and helicopter CG range?
Helicopters have a more restricted CG range
If an aircraft is loaded so that the aft CG limit is exceeded, what undesirable flight characteristics are likely to result?
The aircraft will be tail heavy and may be unable to recover from a stall or spin
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?
If the equipment is not part of the permanently installed in the aircraft or included on the equipment list, it should be removed from the aircraft
Where are leveling instructions found, and describe one method of leveling an aircraft
The instructions are found in the TCDS and a spirit level or plumb bob or a leveling scale or protractor can be used to level the aircraft
Before a helicopter is weighed, it must be leveled in what direction
Longitudinally and laterally
Describe the two most common ways of showing the CG location and or CG range
It is inches from the datum or percent of the MAC
What does the term aerodynamic chord (MAC) refer to?
The distance between the leading and trailing edge of the wing
