Weight and Balance Vocab

Question 1

Arm

Answer 1

The horizontal distance from the datum to any point within the aircraft

Question 2

Ballast

Answer 2

Weight added or taken away to attain desired CG range

Question 3

Basic Empty Weight

Answer 3

Weight of aircraft basic equipment, unusable fuel, optional equipment, and all operating fluids

Question 4

C.G.

Answer 4

Centerof gravity, the mass center of the aircraft

Question 5

Chord

Answer 5

An imaginary straight line that runs from the trailing edge to the wing’s leading edge

Question 6

Datum

Answer 6

An imaginary vertical line provided by the manufacturer where all measurements of arm are taken

Question 7

Empty Weight

Answer 7

Aircraft weight that consists of the airframe, engines, and all items of operating equipment that have fixed locations and are permanently installed in the aircraft

Question 8

Equipment List

Answer 8

A comprehensive list of equipment installed on a particular aircraft

Question 9

EWCG

Answer 9

The point at which the aircraft balances when it is in an empty weight condition. Represented by CG to the datum (distance D).

Question 10

Fulcrum

Answer 10

The point about which a lever balances

Question 11

LEMAC

Answer 11

Leading Edge Mean Aerodynamic Chord

Question 12

Leveling Means

Answer 12

The way in which aircraft may be checked on the ground for level flight as specified by the aircraft manufacturer.

Question 13

Load Cell

Answer 13

A device that converts a force (mass multiplied by gravity) to an electrical signal.

Question 14

MAC

Answer 14

Mean Aerodynamic Chord

Question 15

Maximum Weight

Answer 15

The maximum authorized weight of the aircraft and its contents, indicated in the Aircraft Specifications or the TCDS.

Question 16

Minimum Fuel (Reciprocating Engine)

Answer 16

The amount of fuel needed for 30 minutes of flight at cruise power. METO/2.

Question 17

Minimum Fuel (Turbine Engine

Answer 17

Specified by manufacturer

Question 18

Moment

Answer 18

The product of a force or weight times arm

Question 19

Plumb Bob

Answer 19

A heavy metal object, cylinder or cone shape with as sharp point at one end and a string attached to the other end used to establish a vertical datum

Question 20

Potable Water

Answer 20

Water that is safe to be used as drinking water

Question 21

Residual Fuel

Answer 21

Any fuel you cannot get to

Question 22

Tare Weight

Answer 22

The weight of any devices used to hold an aircraft on scales when it is weighed.

Question 23

TEMAC

Answer 23

Trailing edge mean aerodynamic chord (TEMAC) that is calculated. TEMAC - LEMAC = Wing width.

Question 24

Useful Load

Answer 24

The weight of the pilot, crew, passengers, baggage, usable fuel, and drainable oil (Everything the aircraft carries that isn’t part of its empty weight).

Question 25

Zero Weight

Answer 25

The maximum permissible weight of an airplane with no disposable fuel or oil.