FPP Weight and Balance Reviewer

FLIGHT PERFORMANCE AND PLANNING
(Basic Weight and Balance)
An airplane must only be flown within certified limits of weight and balance to
ensure that it remains controllable, performs adequately and is not
overstressed.
(1) Effects of increased weight:
→ Higher takeoff speed required → Higher stalling speed

→ Longer takeoff run required → Higher landing speed required
→ Reduced rate and angle of climb → Longer landing roll required
→ Shorter range → Lower maximum altitude
→ Reduced cruising speed → Excessive weight on the nosewheel
→ Reduced maneuverability
(2) Effects of balance on stability and flight performance:
→ An airplane loaded near the forward CG limit becomes more stable, but
less controllable in flight, while an airplane loaded near the aft limit is less stable,
but more sensitive to control input.
Effects of beyond forward C.G. loading:
1. Higher takeoff speed

2. Greater distance of ground roll
3. Reduced rate of climb
4. Decreased maximum altitude
5. Reduced maneuverability
6. Higher stalling speed
7. Reduction in performance caused by increased tail down force
8. Reduced pitch authority
Effects of beyond aft C.G. loading:
1. Decreased stability
2. Higher susceptibility to over-control
3. Higher risk of stalls and spins of which recovery may be difficult or
impossible
*If the airplane CG falls beyond the forward or aft limits, the airplane is potentially
unstable and should be considered unsafe to fly.
(3) Terms:
FOR TRAINING PURPOSES ONLY

 Arm (Moment Arm) – the horizontal distance in inches from the reference
datum line to the center of gravity of any item. Positive (+) if measured aft,
negative (-) if forward of the datum.
 Basic Empty Weight – the combined weight of airframe, engines and all
operating equipment that has a fixed location and permanently installed in the
airplane (includes optional and special equipment, fixed ballast, hydraulic fluid,
unusable fuel and oil).
 Center of Gravity (CG) – the point about which an airplane would balance
if suspended at that point.
 Center of Gravity Limits – the specified forward and aft points within
which the CG must be located during flight for safe control and maneuverability.
 Center of Gravity Range – the distance between the forward and aft limits.
 Datum (Reference Datum) – an imaginary vertical plane or line from

which all measurements of arm are taken (established by the manufacturer).
 Fuel Load – the usable part of the fuel load of the airplane.
 Gross Weight – the loaded weight of the airplane (includes the basic empty
weight of the airplane, all usable fuel, and all persons and baggage).
 Maximum Landing Weight – the maximum weight at which an airplane ay

normally be landed.
 Maximum Ramp Weight – the maximum weight approved for ground

maneuvers (includes weight of start, taxi, and run-up fuel).
 Maximum Takeoff Weight – the maximum allowable weight at the start of

the takeoff run.
 Maximum Zero Fuel Weight – the maximum weight with no fuel on board.
 Moment – the product of the weight of an item multiplied by its arm

(expressed in lb.-in. or in.-lb.)
 Moment Index (or Index) – a moment divided by a constant such as 100,

1000, or 10,000.
 Standard Weights – established for numerous items in weight and balance

computations (gasoline = 6 lb./US gal.; oil = 7.5 lb./US gal.; water = 8.35 lb./US
gal.; genav - crew and pax = 170 lb. each).

 Station – location along the airplane fuselage given in terms of distance
from the reference datum.
 Useful Load – the difference between takeoff weight and the basic empty
weight.
(4) Three methods for computing Weight & Balance:
1. Computational method
2. Graph method
3. Table method
Weight × Arm = Moment
C.G. = Total Moment ÷ Total Weight
Summary notes:
 Both the amount and distribution of weight significantly affect aircraft

stability, control, and efficiency.
 An airplane may have a single maximum weight limit or multiple weight

limits for various stages of ground and flight operations.
 Maximum weight limits may be required for structural or performance

considerations.
 The three methods for computing weight and balance are: Computational,
Graph, and Table.

FPP Weight and Balance Reviewer

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

FPP Weight and Balance Reviewer

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

FPP Weight and Balance Reviewer

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

FLIGHT PERFORMANCE AND PLANNING

(Basic Weight and Balance)

(1) Effects of increased weight:

→ Higher takeoff speed required → Higher stalling speed

(2) Effects of balance on stability and flight performance:

Effects of beyond forward C.G. loading:

1. Higher takeoff speed

Effects of beyond aft C.G. loading:

FOR TRAINING PURPOSES ONLY

 Datum (Reference Datum) – an imaginary vertical plane or line from

 Maximum Landing Weight – the maximum weight at which an airplane ay

 Maximum Ramp Weight – the maximum weight approved for ground

 Maximum Takeoff Weight – the maximum allowable weight at the start of

 Moment – the product of the weight of an item multiplied by its arm

 Moment Index (or Index) – a moment divided by a constant such as 100,

 Standard Weights – established for numerous items in weight and balance

FOR TRAINING PURPOSES ONLY

(4) Three methods for computing Weight & Balance:

Weight × Arm = Moment

C.G. = Total Moment ÷ Total Weight

 Both the amount and distribution of weight significantly affect aircraft

 An airplane may have a single maximum weight limit or multiple weight

 Maximum weight limits may be required for structural or performance

FOR TRAINING PURPOSES ONLY

You might also like