Aircraft Weight & Balance Flashcards

What is the term for the point at which an aircraft would balance if suspended?

Answer: Center of Gravity

The center of gravity (CG) is the point at which all of the aircraft's weight is considered to act and where it would balance if suspended.

What is the 'datum' in aircraft weight and balance?

Answer: A vertical reference plane from which all horizontal distances are measured

The datum is an imaginary vertical reference plane from which all horizontal distances are measured for weight and balance purposes.

Which document lists the empty weight, empty weight CG, and useful load of a certificated aircraft?

Answer: Weight and Balance Report

The Weight and Balance Report (or equipment list) contains the aircraft's empty weight, empty weight CG location, and useful load.

What formula is used to calculate the moment of an object in weight and balance?

Answer: Moment = Weight × Arm

Moment is calculated by multiplying the weight of an object by its arm (distance from the datum), expressed as inch-pounds.

An aircraft has a maximum gross weight of 3,400 lbs and an empty weight of 2,100 lbs. What is its useful load?

Answer: 1,300 lbs

Useful load is the difference between maximum gross weight and empty weight: 3,400 − 2,100 = 1,300 lbs.

What is 'basic empty weight' of an aircraft?

Answer: The weight of the airframe, engines, and all installed equipment, including unusable fuel and full operating fluids

Basic empty weight includes the airframe, engines, all permanently installed equipment, unusable fuel, and full operating fluids such as oil and hydraulic fluid.

If the computed CG falls outside the aft CG limit, what is the result?

Answer: Reduced longitudinal stability, making recovery from a stall more difficult

An aft CG reduces longitudinal stability, decreases the effectiveness of elevator control, and makes it harder to recover from a stall.