Weight and Balance 2

Question 1

What simple and fundamental weight check can be made by all pilots before flight? (FAA-H-8083-25)

Answer 1

• A useful load check can be made with mental claculation
• Pilot is familiar with the aircraft’s limits and knows that unusually heavy loads are not aboard.
• The pilot needs to know the useful load limit of the particular aircraft.

Question 2

If the useful load limit is not stated directly, what can you do?

Answer 2

simply subtract the empty weight from the maximum takeoff weight.

Question 3

What factors would contribute to a change in center of
gravity location during flight?

Answer 3

• The operator’s flight manual should show procedures which fully account for variations in CG travel during flight caused by variable such as the movement of passengers and the effect of the CG travel due to fuel used.

Question 5

How is the CG affected during flight as fuel is used?

Answer 5

• As fuel is burned during flight, the weight of the fuel tanks will change and as a result the CG will change.
• Most aircraft, however, are designed with the fuel tanks positioned close to the CG~ therefore, the consumption of fuel does not affect the CG to any great extent.
• Also, the lateral balance can be upset by uneven fuel loading or burn-off. The position of the lateral CG is not normally computed for an airplane, but the pilot must be aware of the adverse effects that will result from a laterally unbalanced condition.

Question 6

1. What is the center of gravity range for this aircraft at
   maximum takeoff weight?

Question 7

What are the empty, basic, and maximum takeoff
weights of your aircraft?

Answer 7

Empty Weight: 1522

Question 8

How many people will this aircraft carry safely with a full
fuel load?

Question 9

What is your maximum allowable useful load?

Question 10

What is the maximum allowable weight for the baggage
compartment?

Question 11

Calculate the new CG for the above aircraft if an
additional 80 pounds of baggage were loaded.

Answer 11

Exam Tip: When calculating the weight and balance for your
departure, go ahead and complete the W&B calculations for your
arrival at the destination as well. Also, to demonstrate how thorough
and complete your cross-country flight planning is, calculate
your destination airport takeoff and landing distances at your
ETA/ETD

Question 12

What are three ways you can control lift during flight?

Question 13

# Define the terms "glide ratio" and "best glide speed".
What are these values for your airplane?

Question 14

Define the terms “endurance “ and “range.”

Question 15

Does the horizontal stabilizer produce lift? How does it
affect longitudinal stability?

Question 16

What happens to Vx and Vy as altitude is increased?

Answer 16

Vx’s true airspeed increases as you climb. It means that Vx’s indicated airspeed increases slowly, or stays almost the same, as you climb.

As you climb, your indicated airspeed falls further behind your true.

So, as you climb, Vy’s indicated airspeed decreases slightly.

At the absolute ceiling, your Vx and Vy are the same speed. And by the way, if you try reach your absolute ceiling, it will take you quite a while to get there.

Question 17

During the enroute phase of flight, the CG moves aft due
to fuel burn or a passenger moving. What effect will this
have on various performance factors such as airspeed,
stall speed, and range?

Question 18

During landing, will there be any difference in elevator
control effectiveness as the airplane enters ground
effect?

Question 19

What are several examples of abnormal situations that
would require a pilot to reject a takeoff while still on the
runway?