Weight and Balance Flashcards
(27 cards)
Why is weight and balance important in RPAS operations?
It ensures structural integrity, optimal performance, and flight safety by preventing stress, degradation, and crashes.
What are the consequences of an unbalanced RPAS?
It can lead to increased stress on components, performance degradation, and safety hazards.
How does excess weight affect RPAS performance?
Reduces manoeuvrability, flight time, and stability; increases stress on components.
What can happen if an RPAS is overloaded?
It can overheat batteries, stress motors, reduce flight time, and cause crashes.
What must operators calculate before flight?
Payload weight, takeoff/landing performance, climb performance, and flight duration.
Why is payload weight important?
To ensure the RPAS stays within its payload capacity and maintains safe operation.
Why is takeoff and landing performance calculated?
To ensure safe operations in confined or obstacle-rich environments.
How does payload affect climb performance?
Heavier payloads require more power and time to reach altitude.
Why assess flight duration?
To ensure battery or fuel is sufficient for the entire mission, including reserves.
What is MTOW?
Maximum Takeoff Weight: Total weight limit including aircraft, payload, and battery/fuel.
What is the consequence of exceeding MTOW?
Poor climb performance and potential structural failure.
What is MLW?
Maximum Landing Weight: Weight limit to prevent damage during landing.
What is MZFW?
Maximum Zero Fuel Weight: Max weight of aircraft and payload excluding fuel/batteries.
What is the datum in RPAS?
Imaginary vertical plane from which horizontal distances are measured for balance.
What is the arm in weight and balance?
Horizontal distance from the datum to the item’s center of gravity.
What is the moment in weight and balance?
Weight x Arm, represents the turning effect of a weight.
What is the Centre of Gravity (CG)?
Point where total weight is concentrated; affects stability and control.
What do CG limits define?
The forward and rearward range for safe CG location.
How does forward CG affect flight?
Increases stability but reduces manoeuvrability and may increase stall speed.
How does aft CG affect flight?
Improves manoeuvrability but reduces stability and increases stall risk.
What should pre-flight CG checks include?
Weight and moment calculations, and equipment placement adjustments.
What signs indicate a forward CG in-flight?
Nose-down tendency, difficulty maintaining altitude.
What signs indicate an aft CG in-flight?
Unexpected pitch changes, increased agility but reduced stability.
How do onboard sensors help?
They provide real-time alerts on payload shifts and CG deviations.
