Weight and Balance Flashcards
What is moment?
Moment is the weight x arm. The turning force that acts on an object when not equalized
What is datum?
A point on the plane that we use to take arm measurements.
What is arm?
The distance in inches from the datum
What is station?
A location on the plane (such as passenger or Pilot) from which moment is calculated
What is center of gravity (CG)?
The distance from the datum where the airplane would be balanced if set on a fulcrum
What is meant by CG Limits?
An envelope in which the CG must remain in order for the plane to be within legal limits
What is meant by Max Gross Weight?
The total weight that the loaded airplane can weigh and legally fly.
What is meant by Basic Empty Weight?
The weight of the empty airplane. Includes unusable fuel. Can be found on the weight and balance sheet inside the airplane.
What is meant by Zero Fuel Weight?
The weight of the airplane, pilot, passengers and baggage. Helps calculate how much fuel you can add before hitting max gross weight.
What is meant by Ramp Weight?
Zero Fuel Weight plus the weight of all the fuel added for you trip.
What is meant by Takeoff Weight?
Ramp weight minus the amount of fuel burned during startup, taxi and runup.
What is meant by Landing Weight?
Takeoff weight minus the weight of the fuel burned during you flight.
What is meant by useful load?
Max Gross Weight minus Empty Weight. The total amount you can add to basic empty weight and remain within legal weight limits.
Describe what having a Forward CG does to the aircraft.
Having a forward CG will reduce stall speed, reduce cruise speed, give better longitudinal stability, better stall/spin recovery.
Describe what having an Aft CG does to the aircraft.
Increases stall speed, increases cruise speed, reduces longitudinal stability, gives poor stall/spin recovery.
