Load Planning & Weight and Balance Flashcards

Structural floor loading limits for cargo compartments are expressed as:

Answer: Weight per unit area (lbs/ft² or kg/m²) that the floor structure can safely support

Floor limits are expressed as weight per unit area to prevent structural damage from concentrated loads, regardless of total compartment weight.

A NOTOC (Notice to Captain) is issued primarily to:

Answer: Notify the captain of hazardous materials, live animals, or other special loads requiring crew awareness

The NOTOC informs the captain of special cargo such as dangerous goods, live animals, or diplomatic pouches so the crew can plan for any in-flight contingency.

When dangerous goods are included in a cargo manifest, the dispatcher must verify compliance with:

Answer: IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations and 49 CFR Part 175, including compatibility, quantity limits, and packaging

Dangerous goods must comply with IATA DGR and 49 CFR Part 175, covering compatibility between materials, per-package and per-flight quantity limits, and approved packaging.

Maximum Landing Weight (MLW) is typically less than Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW) because:

Answer: The landing gear and airframe are designed to absorb energy at lower weights; excess weight must be burned or jettisoned before landing

The landing gear and airframe are certificated to withstand touchdown loads only up to MLW; structural damage risk increases significantly above this limit.

When an aircraft's loaded CG falls aft of the certified aft limit, the primary flight safety concern is:

Answer: Reduced longitudinal static stability and possible loss of pitch control

Exceeding the aft CG limit reduces or eliminates the aircraft's inherent nose-down stability, making pitch control difficult or impossible.

If cargo is loaded such that the forward hold's floor loading limit (lbs/ft²) is exceeded, the dispatcher should:

Answer: Require redistribution or removal of cargo until the floor limit is no longer exceeded

Exceeding the floor structural limit can cause permanent structural damage; cargo must be redistributed or offloaded to remain within the certified floor limit.

Under 14 CFR Part 121, which statement best describes the dispatcher's responsibility regarding the weight and balance dispatch release?

Answer: Both the dispatcher and PIC must concur on the dispatch release, sharing joint legal authority and responsibility

Part 121 establishes joint dispatcher-PIC authority: both must concur on the dispatch release, making them jointly responsible for weight and balance compliance.