Weight and Balance

Question 1

What should be done concerning fuel when performing weight and balance checks?

Answer 1

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

Question 2

What is the purpose of aircraft weight and balance?

Answer 2

Safety and maximum performance

Question 3

How would you determine the empty weight center of gravity of an aircraft if all weight and balance records are missing?

Answer 3

The aircraft must be weighed and a new weight and balance record must be computed and recorded

Question 4

What is a datum?

Answer 4

It is an imaginary vertical plane from which all horizontal measurements are taken

Question 5

How is the arm of an item of equipment obtained when computing aircraft weight and balance?

Answer 5

Measuring the distance between the item and the datum

Question 6

How is the moment of an item of equipment obtained when computing aircraft weight and balance?

Answer 6

Weight x arm = moment

Question 7

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

Answer 7

It is the weight of all extra items, jacks, blocks, chocks on the weighing process scale platforms and is subtracted from the final results of the weighing

Question 8

What is an aircraft loading graph?

Answer 8

A method of determining load distribution to keep the weight and operating center of gravity within approved range

Question 9

Why is accurate up-to-date empty weight center of gravity data so important?

Answer 9

Because all other weight and balance calculations are based on empty weight center of gravity

Question 10

Why is aircraft category a factor when computing weight and balance?

Answer 10

Aircraft certificated in both normal and utility categories have two useful loads due to different gross weights

Question 11

How is a positive moment obtained aft of the datum?

Answer 11

Add weight (+weight and +arm = +moment)

Question 12

How is a negative moment obtainedsft of the datum?

Answer 12

Remove weight (-weight and +arm = -moment)

Question 13

How is a positive moment obtained forward of the datum?

Answer 13

Remove weight (-weight and -arm = +moment)

Question 14

How is a negative moment obtained forward of the datum?

Answer 14

Add weight (+weight and -arm = -moment)

Question 15

What is meant by the term residual fuel?

Answer 15

It is the fuel that remains in tanks, lines and engines after draining

Question 16

What is meant by the term residual oil?

Answer 16

It is the oil that remains in tanks, lines and engines after draining

Question 17

List items found in the TCDS that is of concern to aircraft weight and balance

Answer 17

Center of gravity ranges, max weight, leveling means, number of seats, baggage capacity, fuel, datum, engine HP, oil capacity, amount of fuel and amount of oil

Question 18

What leveling methods are used in weight and balance procedures?

Answer 18

Use spirit level at the manufacturers designated leveling points or use of a built-in leveling scale (or protractor) and plumb bob

Question 19

Describe a plumb bob and its use

Answer 19

A sharp pointed cylinder or cone shaped heavy metal object, used to determine a spot that is 90* to the point the plumb bob is hanging from

Question 20

How can you determine the effect of a new item of equipment on the aircraft’s weight and balance without weighing the aircraft?

Answer 20

The effect can be determined by basic computations if the weight and balance records are up to date

Question 21

What is a ballast and why is it used in aircraft?

Answer 21

A ballast is any weight added or removed to obtain a desired center of gravity

Question 22

What is the recommended markings for permanent ballasts?

Answer 22

“PERMANENT BALLAST DO NOT REMOVE” in red paint

Question 23

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?

Answer 23

Use ballast in an aircraft to obtain the desired CG balance

Question 24

What is the difference between fixed-wing and helicopter CG range?

Answer 24

Helicopters have a more restricted CG range

Question 25

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

Answer 25

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

Question 26

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 26

If the equipment is not a part of the permanently installed in the aircraft or included on the equipment list, it should be removed from the aircraft

Question 27

Where are leveling instructions found? Describe one method of leveling an aircraft

Answer 27

The instructions are found in the TCDS and a spirit level or plumb bob or a leveling scale of protractor can be used to level the aircraft

Question 28

Describe the two most common ways of showing the CG location and/or CG range

Answer 28

In inches from the datum or % of MAC

Question 29

Before a helicopter is weighed, it must be leveled in what directions?

Answer 29

Longitudinally and laterally

Question 30

What does the term mean aerodynamic chord (MAC) refer to?

Answer 30

The distance between the leading edge and trailing edge of the wing