Weight & Balance Terms Flashcards
1
Q
Arm (moment arm)
A
- Horizontal distance in inches from the reference datum line to the CG of an item.
- The algebraic sign is plus (+) if measured aft of the datum and minus (-) if measures forward of the datum.
2
Q
Basic empty weight (GAMA)
A
- The standard empty weight plus the weight of optional and special equipment that have been installed.
3
Q
Center of Gravity (CG)
A
- The point about which an aircraft would balance if it were possible to suspend it at that point.
- It is the mass center of the aircraft or the theoretical point at which the entire weight of the aircraft is assumed to be concentrated
- It may be expressed in inches from the reference datum or in percent of MAC.
- The CG is a three-dimensional point with longitudinal, lateral, and vertical positioning in the aircraft.
4
Q
CG limits
A
- The specified forward and aft points within which the CG must be located during flight.
- These limits are indicated on pertinent aircraft specifications.
5
Q
CG Range
A
- The distance between the forward and aft CG limits indicated on pertinent aircraft specifications.
6
Q
Datum (reference datum)
A
- An imaginary vertical plane or line from which all measurements of arm are taken.
- The datum is established by the manufacturer.
- Once the datum has been selected, all moment arms and the location of CG range are measured from this point.
7
Q
Delta
A
- A Greek letter expressed by the symbol 🔺️ to indicate a change of values.
- As an example, 🔺️ CG indicates a change (or movement) of the CG.
8
Q
Floor Load Limit
A
- The maximum weight of the floor can sustain per square inch/foot as provided by the manufacturer.
9
Q
Fuel Load
A
- The expendable part of the load of the aircraft.
- It includes only usable fuel, not fuel required to fill the lines or that which remains trapped in the tank sumps.
10
Q
Licensed empty weight
A
- The empty weight that consists of the airframe, engine(s), unusable fuel, and undrainable oil plus standard and optional equipment as specified in the equipment list.
- Some manufactures used this term prior to GAMA standardization.
11
Q
Maximum Landing Weight
A
- The greatest weight that an aircraft is normally allowed to have at landing.
12
Q
Maximum Ramp Weight
A
- The total weight of a loaded aircraft including all fuel. It is greater than the takeoff weight due to the fuel that will be burning during the taxi and run-up operations.
- Ramp weight may also be referred to as taxi weight.
13
Q
Maximum takeoff weight
A
- The maximum allowable weight for takeoff.
14
Q
Maximum weight
A
- The maximum authorized weight of the aircraft and all of its equipment as specified in the TCDS for the aircraft.
15
Q
Maximum zero fuel weight (GAMA)
A
- The maximum weight, exclusive of usable fuel.