PPL Weight and Balance Flashcards
7 cards from real PPL practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 PPL Weight and Balance flashcards as text
How is center of gravity (CG) location calculated?
Answer: Total moment divided by total weight
CG location = Total Moment ÷ Total Weight; this gives the distance of the CG from the datum in inches.
What is the standard weight of engine oil per US gallon for weight and balance purposes?
Answer: 7.5 pounds
Engine oil weighs 7.5 pounds per gallon, which is heavier than avgas (6.0 lbs/gal) but lighter than water (8.33 lbs/gal).
If an aircraft is loaded beyond its maximum certificated gross weight, what is a primary safety concern?
Answer: Structural limits may be exceeded and performance will be significantly degraded
Exceeding maximum gross weight can overstress the airframe (especially in turbulence or maneuvers), increase stall speed, reduce climb rate, and extend takeoff and landing distances.
What does the CG envelope on a loading graph represent?
Answer: The approved combinations of aircraft weight and CG location for safe flight
The CG envelope defines all allowable combinations of total weight and CG location; operating outside this envelope is outside the aircraft's certification and is unsafe.
An aircraft loaded with a forward CG typically requires the pilot to do what during cruise flight?
Answer: Apply back pressure or nose-up trim to maintain level flight
A forward CG creates a nose-heavy condition requiring constant back pressure or up-elevator trim to maintain level flight, which also increases drag.
'Basic empty weight' of an aircraft typically includes which items?
Answer: Airframe, engines, fixed equipment, unusable fuel, and full operating fluids (oil, hydraulic fluid)
Basic empty weight includes the airframe, engines, fixed equipment, unusable fuel, and all operating fluids (full oil, hydraulic fluid, etc.) but excludes usable fuel and payload.
Where is the datum commonly located on many single-engine light aircraft?
Answer: At the firewall or the nose of the aircraft
Many light aircraft manufacturers place the datum at the firewall or at the nose/propeller flange, but the exact location varies by manufacturer and is specified in the POH.