Weight & Balance

Question 1

Where must a record be kept of the current empty weight and the current center of gravity of an aircraft?

Answer 1

In the aircraft flight manual or weight and balance records required by 14 CFR §23.1583.

Question 2

What is meant by the datum that is used for weight and balance computations?

Answer 2

A clearly identified reference chosen by the aircraft manufacturer from which all longitudinal locations on the aircraft are referenced.

Question 3

Why are the distances of all of the items installed in an aircraft measured from the datum when computing weight and balance?

Answer 3

This makes it possible to find the point about which the aircraft would balance (the center of gravity).

Question 4

What are two reasons weight and balance control are important in an aircraft?

Answer 4

For safety of flight and for most efficient performance of the aircraft.

Question 5

What is meant by moment in the computation of weight and balance?

Answer 5

A force that tends to cause rotation. It is the product of the weight of an object in pounds and the distance of the object from the datum in inches.

Question 6

How do you find the moment of an item that is installed in an aircraft?

Answer 6

Multiply the weight of the item in pounds by its distance from the datum in inches.

Question 7

What is meant by the arm of an item that is installed in an aircraft?

Answer 7

The distance, in inches, between the center of gravity of the item and the datum.

Question 8

Why must we consider the category under which an aircraft is licensed when we compute its weight and balance?

Answer 8

The different categories under which an aircraft can be licensed have different maximum gross weights and different center of gravity ranges.

Question 9

Where can you find the leveling means that are specified for a particular aircraft?

Answer 9

In the Type Certificate Data Sheets for the aircraft.

Question 10

Where is the arm of an item installed in an aircraft recorded?

Answer 10

In the Type Certificate Data Sheets for the aircraft.

Question 11

What must be done to find the empty weight of an aircraft if it has been weighed with fuel in its tanks?

Answer 11

The weight of the fuel and its moment must be subtracted from the weight and moment of the aircraft as it was weighed.

Question 12

What is meant by the tare weight that is used in a weight and balance computation?

Answer 12

The weight of the chocks and other items that are used to hold the aircraft on the scales.

Question 13

What must be done to the tare weight when an aircraft is weighed?

Answer 13

It must be subtracted from the scale reading to find the weight of the aircraft.

Question 14

What is meant by minimum fuel as is used in the computation of aircraft weight and balance?

Answer 14

No more fuel than the quantity necessary for half an hour of operation at rated maximum continuous power. It is the maximum amount of fuel used in weight and balance computations when low fuel may adversely affect the most critical balance conditions.

Question 15

What is meant by the maximum zero fuel weight of an aircraft?

Answer 15

The maximum permissible weight of a loaded aircraft (passengers, crew, cargo, etc.), less its fuel.

Question 16

What is meant by undrainable fuel?

Answer 16

The fuel that is left in the tank, lines and components when the aircraft is placed in level flight position and the fuel drained at the main fuel strainer. This is also called residual fuel.

Question 17

Describe the way you would find the empty weight and empty weight center of gravity of an airplane if there are no weight and balance records available.

Answer 17

The aircraft is weighed, and the empty weight center of gravity is computed. These values are recorded in new weight and balance records that are started for the aircraft.

Question 18

What is meant by permanent ballast for an aircraft?

Answer 18

Weight that is permanently installed in an aircraft to bring the empty weight center of gravity into allowable limits.

Question 19

Which has the more critical center of gravity range, an airplane or a helicopter?

Answer 19

A helicopter.

Question 20

What equipment must be installed in an aircraft when it is weighed to find its empty weight center of gravity?

Answer 20

All of the equipment that is listed in the Aircraft Equipment List as required equipment” or as equipment that is permanently installed.

Question 21

What is the significance of the empty weight center of gravity range of an aircraft?

Answer 21

If the empty weight center of gravity falls within the EWCG range, the aircraft cannot be legally loaded in such a way that its loaded center of gravity will fall outside of the allowable loaded CG range. Not all aircraft have an EWCG range.

Question 22

Why is empty weight center of gravity range not given in the Type Certificate Data Sheets for some aircraft?

Answer 22

The empty weight center of gravity range is given only for aircraft that cannot be legally loaded in such a way that their loaded center of gravity will fall outside of the allowable limits.