Aircraft Weight & Balance Flashcards

What is the datum in aircraft weight and balance?

Answer: An imaginary vertical plane from which horizontal distances are measured

The datum is an imaginary vertical reference plane chosen by the manufacturer from which all horizontal arm distances are measured to calculate moments.

What term describes the product of a weight multiplied by its arm?

Answer: Moment

Moment is the product of weight (in pounds) multiplied by the arm (distance from the datum in inches), expressed in pound-inches.

Which document provides the approved CG range and weight limits for a specific certificated aircraft?

Answer: Type Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS)

The Type Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS), issued by the FAA, specifies the datum location, approved CG range, and maximum weight limits for each certificated aircraft model.

What is included in the standard empty weight of an aircraft?

Answer: Airframe, engines, all permanently installed equipment, unusable fuel, and undrainable oil

Standard empty weight includes the airframe, engines, all permanently installed equipment, unusable fuel, and undrainable oil, but excludes usable fuel and payload.

How is useful load defined?

Answer: The difference between maximum certificated gross weight and empty weight

Useful load is the difference between the maximum certificated gross weight and the empty weight, and includes crew, passengers, cargo, and usable fuel.

An aircraft has a total moment of 150,000 lb-in and a total weight of 3,000 lbs. What is the CG location?

Answer: 50 inches from the datum

CG = Total Moment ÷ Total Weight = 150,000 ÷ 3,000 = 50 inches aft of the datum.

What condition results when an aircraft's CG is located ahead of the forward CG limit?

Answer: The aircraft may be difficult to rotate and requires excessive back pressure on the controls

A CG forward of the forward limit creates a nose-heavy condition that makes rotation difficult and may require back-stick forces exceeding control authority.