Weight & Balance Flashcards
What are the different operational categories for aircraft and within which category does your aircraft fall?
Normal……………………. +3.8 to -1.52
Utility (mild aerobatics including spins)…… +4.4 to -1.76
Aerobatic…………….+6.00 to -3.00
What effect does an increase in load factor have on stalling speed?
As load factor increases stalling speed increases.
Stalling speed increases in proportion to the square root of the load factor.
Define the term “maneuvering speed.”
Maneuvering speed is the maximum speed at which abrupt control movement can be applied or at which the airplane could be flown in turbulence without exceeding design load factor limits.
Discuss effect on maneuvering speed of an increase or decrease in weight.
Maneuvering speed increases with an increase in weight and decreases with a decrease in weight.
An aircraft operating at a reduced weight is more vulnerable to rapid accelerations encountered during flight turbulence or gusts.
What causes an airplane to stall?
the direct cause of every stall is an excessive AOA.
Empty weight
the airframe, engines, and all items of operating equipment that have fixed locations and are permanently installed in the aircraft. Includes hydraulic fluid, unusable fuel, and untrainable oil.
Max gross weight
maximum allowable weight of both airplane and passengers and its contents
useful load
weight of pilot, copilot, passengers, baggage, usable fuel, and drainable oil.
Arm
horizontal distance in inches from datum line to center gravity
Moment
weight multiplied by arm measured in pound-inches
Center of gravity
the point at which a plane would balance if it were possible to suspend it at that point. Expressed in inches from datum
Datum
an imaginary vertical plane or line from which all measurements of arm are taken. Established by the manufacturer.
What performance characteristics will be adversely affected when an aircraft has been over loaded?
A. Higher take off speed B. Longer takeoff run C. Reduced rate and angle of climb D. Lower maximum altItidue E. Shorter range F. Reduced cruising speed G. Reduced maneuverability H. Higher stalling speeds I. Higher landing speed J. Longer landing roll K. Excessive weight on the nose wheel
What effect does a forward center of gravity have on an aircraft’s flight characteristics?
Higher stall speed - stalling angle of attack reached at a higher speed due to increased wing loading
Slower cruise speed - increased drag; greater angle of attack is required to maintain
More stable - the center of gravity is farther forward from the center of pressure which increases longitudinal stability
Greater back elevator pressure required - longer takeoff roll; higher approach speeds and problems with landing flare
What are the standard weights assumed for the following when calculating weight and balance problems?
Crew and passengers ……………….170 lbs each
Gasoline…………………………………..6lbs/ US gal
Oil……………..w………………………….7.5 lbs/ US gal
Water……………………………………….8.35 lbs/US gal
