Weight and Balance

Question 1

What is the purpose of aircraft weight and balance control?

Answer 1

The primary purpose is safety

Question 2

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

Answer 2

Weight x Arm.

Question 3

The forward CG limit of an aircraft is exceeded by installation of several items of equipment in the engine compartment.
How can this problem be corrected or compensated for without removing or changing any of the newly installed equipment?

Answer 3

Install a ballast in the aft end of the plane.

Question 4

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

Answer 4

The arm of each item of equipment is usually included in the specifications for the aircraft; or may be obtained by actual measurement.

Question 5

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

Answer 5

The datum of an aircraft is an imaginary vertical plane from which all horizontal measurements are taken for balance purposes.

Question 5

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

Answer 5

Tare weight is the weight of all extra items, such as jacks, blocks, and chocks on the weighting scale platform and is subtracted from total weight.

Question 6

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

Answer 6

The aircraft must be reweighed and a new set of weight and balance records must be computed and compiled.

Question 6

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

Answer 6

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

Question 7

What should be done concerning fuel when weighing an aircraft for weight and balance purposes?

Answer 7

With the aircraft in a level attitude, drain the fuel system until empty or
Fill the fuel tanks and subtract usable fuel.

Question 7

How is a positive moment obtained aft of the datum?

Answer 7

By adding weight

Question 8

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

Answer 8

A ballast is any weight added to obtain a desired CG.

Question 8

How is a negative moment obtained forward of the datum?

Answer 8

By adding weight

Question 8

How is a positive moment obtained forward of the datum?

Answer 8

By removing weight

Question 8

How is a negative moment obtained aft of the datum?

Answer 8

By removing weight

Question 9

What is the difference between fixed wing and helicopter CG ranges?

Answer 9

Most helicopters have a more restricted CG range.

Question 9

What should be done with equipment normally carried in an aircraft but not permanently installed when weight an aircraft for weight and balance purposes?

Answer 9

All equipment not permanently installed should be removed.

Question 10

What is an aircraft loading graph?

Answer 10

A method for determining load distribution to keep the weight and operating CG within the approved range.

Question 11

What is meant by the term residual fuel?

Answer 11

Fuel that cannot be drained out of the aircraft, as it is stuck in the tanks, lines, or engine.

Question 11

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

Answer 11

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

Question 12

What is meant by the term residual oil?

Answer 12

Oil that cannot be drained out of the aircraft, as it is stuck in the tanks, lines, or engine.

Question 13

Name one common leveling method used in weight and balance procedures.

Answer 13

Use of a spirit level at the manufacturers designated leveling points OR use of a built in leveling scale.

Question 13

What does the term Mean Aerodynamic Chord refer to?

Answer 13

The MAC is the average chord or distance from the leading edge to the trailing edge of an airfoil, usually a wing, as measured in cross section.

Question 14

What are two ways commonly used to show CG and/ or CG range in different aircraft?

Answer 14

Inches from the datum and percent of MAC

Question 15

Why is accurate up-to-date empty weight CG data so important?

Answer 15

All other weight and balance calculations are based on EWCG.

Question 16

List at least 5 items concerning weight and balance that would be listed in the TCDS.

Answer 16

1) CG Range
2) Max Weight
3) Leveling Means
4) Number of seats and locations
5) Baggage capacity and arm
6) Fuel capacity and arm
7) Datum location
8) Engine HP
9) Oil capacity and arm
10) Amount of fuel in empty weight and arm
11)Amount of oil in empty weight and arm

Question 17

Describe a plumb bob and its use

Answer 17

A heavy metal object - Cylinder or cone shaped with a sharp point at one end. Used to determine a spot that is perpendicular to the point the plumb bob is hanging from.

Question 18

What is the recommended markings for permanent ballast?

Answer 18

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

Question 19

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

Answer 19

Longitudinally and laterally

Question 20

Explain the performance of a rearward adverse loaded CG check.

Answer 20

During an aft adverse loaded CG check, all useful load items behind the aft CG limits are loaded and all useful load items in front of the aft CG limit are left empty. If the fuel tank is located forward of the aft CG limit, minimum fuel will be shown.