Weight & Balance

Question 1

How much does 1 gallon of 100 LL weigh?

Answer 1

6.0 lbs

Question 2

How much does 1 gallon of jet A weigh?

Answer 2

6.7 lbs

Question 3

What is the difference between the standard empty weight and the basic empty weight?

Answer 3

Basic Empty Weight is
Standard Empty Weight
plus optional
equipment.

Question 4

What is the zero fuel wait (ZFW)?

Answer 4

The Zero Fuel Weight is the weight of the aircraft, cargo andpassengers excluding useable fuel. The gross weight of the aircraft
minus the ZFW can give you the amount of useable fuel (in pounds) that you can carry onboard and still be at or below the max ramp
weight.

Question 5

What is Arm and why are some of the negative?

Answer 5

The distance measured
from the reference datum (like the firewall);
if objects are located
in front of the reference
datum, they will be negative.

Question 6

What is the purpose of weight and balance calculation?

Answer 6

To ensure the plane meets to basic criteria:

1. It is within the design weight limits for each and every phase of flight
2. The centre of gravity is within the allowable range for each and every phase of flight

Question 7

Standard empty weight

Answer 7

Includes the weight of the basic aircraft plus standard equipment and USUALLY the weight of unuseable fuel, operating fluids, and oil

Question 8

Basic empty weight

Answer 8

Weight of the aircraft as equipped with optional equipment and with oil, unusable fuel, and other fluids

Question 9

Useful load

Answer 9

Difference between gross takeoff weight and the basic empty weight

Question 10

Payload

Answer 10

The useful load of the aircraft minus the fuel load carried on board

Question 11

Maximum zero fuel weight

Answer 11

The maximum weight to watch the planes can be loaded neglecting the weight of the fuel on board. This can sometimes be a limiting factor in larger airplanes. The limitation is associated with the bending stresses in the wings

Question 12

 Maximum ramp weight

Answer 12

The maximum weight that is approved for ground manoeuvring.

Question 13

Maximum takeoff weight

Answer 13

The maximum weight that the aircraft is approved for at the start of the takeoff run

Question 14

Maximum landing weight

Answer 14

The maximum weight I which the airplane may be landed

If you arrive heavy, try to burn off fuel. If that’s not possible in an emergency, you can land and then have a mechanic inspect the airplane

Question 15

Weight and balance calculation using the basic equation

Answer 15

Moment = arm x weight

Question 16

Walk me through the basic phases of weight in the airplane

Answer 16

Basic empty weight

Plus payload

Equal zero fuel weight

Plus fuel

Equals ramp weight

Minus taxi fuel

Equals takeoff weight

Minus trip fuel

Equals landing weight

Question 17

Describe the performance effects of an overloaded aircraft

Answer 17

Higher takeoff speed;
A longer takeoff run
A reduced rate of climb;
Decrease in the range;
Reduced cruising speed;
Reduction in aircraft maneuverability;
Higher stalling speed;
Higher approach and landing speed;
 a longer landing role/stopping distance

Question 18

Usable Fuel

Answer 18

The fuel available for flight planning

Question 19

Unusable Fuel

Answer 19

Fuel remaining in the tanks after the run out test has been completed. The fuel not accessible to the engine for flight.

Question 20

Maximum Gross Weight

Answer 20

Maximum possible weight of the airplane

Question 21

Zero Fuel Weight

Answer 21

Is the weight of the airplane, crew, passengers, baggage, fluids, and unuseable fuel

Question 22

Maximum zero fuel weight

Answer 22

The maximum weight to which an aircraft can be loaded with passengers, baggage, and crew, before the rest of it must be fuel.

This is because too much weed in a few slides will put too much stress on the wings while in flight

Question 23

Moment

Answer 23

The weight of an object multiplied by the distance (arm) from some reference point (datum)

Question 24

Where is the fulcrum of an aircraft located?

Answer 24

It is located at the centre of left or the centre of pressure on the wing

Question 25

Datum Line

Answer 25

And arbitrarily selected line on the aircraft, normally sit by the manufacturer, from which all horizontal distances are measured for weight and balance purposes

Question 26

Arm

Answer 26

The distance from the datum line to any item

Question 27

How do you determine the moment of an aircraft?

Answer 27

Weight x Arm, Expressed in inch pounds

Question 28

MAC

Answer 28

Mean aerodynamic chord

A method used to determine the centre of gravity range in larger commercial aircraft