AMT Aircraft Weight and Balance Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An aircraft is loaded such that its center of gravity (CG) is located aft of the allowable range. Which of the following is a likely consequence of this condition?
- Increased longitudinal stability.
- Difficulty in raising the nose during takeoff.
- Reduced cruise speed and fuel efficiency.
- Difficulty recovering from a stall. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Difficulty recovering from a stall.
An aft CG location reduces longitudinal stability, making the aircraft tail-heavy. This condition makes it more difficult to recover from a stall or spin because the center of gravity is closer to the center of pressure, reducing the natural nose-down pitching moment that aids in recovery.
Question 2: Which of the following defines an aircraft's 'useful load'?
- The weight of the crew, passengers, and cargo, but not fuel.
- The total weight of the aircraft with all seats filled and maximum baggage.
- The difference between the maximum takeoff weight and the basic empty weight. (Correct answer)
- The weight of the airframe, engines, and all permanently installed equipment.
Correct answer: The difference between the maximum takeoff weight and the basic empty weight.
The useful load is the weight of the pilot, copilot, crew, passengers, baggage, and usable fuel. It is calculated by subtracting the basic empty weight (which includes the airframe, engines, and fixed equipment) from the maximum allowable takeoff weight.
Question 3: A technician must calculate the center of gravity of an aircraft. What is the correct formula to use?
- Total Weight / Total Moment
- Total Moment / Total Weight (Correct answer)
- Total Arm x Total Weight
- (Total Weight + Total Moment) / 2
Correct answer: Total Moment / Total Weight
The center of gravity (CG) is calculated by dividing the total moment by the total weight of the aircraft. The moment is the product of a weight and its arm (the distance from a reference datum).
Question 4: During a pre-weighing inspection, a technician is preparing an aircraft according to the Type Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS) and maintenance manual. Which of the following is a critical step in this preparation?
- Ensuring the fuel tanks are filled to maximum capacity.
- Positioning all flight controls in the neutral position.
- Leveling the aircraft both longitudinally and laterally. (Correct answer)
- Verifying the baggage compartment is completely empty.
Correct answer: Leveling the aircraft both longitudinally and laterally.
To ensure an accurate weight and balance measurement, the aircraft must be in a specific level flight attitude as defined by the manufacturer. This is achieved by leveling it both longitudinally (pitch) and laterally (roll) using jacks and leveling tools specified in the maintenance manual.
Question 5: A modification adds a new antenna weighing 5 pounds at an arm of +150 inches. The aircraft's total weight before the modification was 2,500 pounds with a total moment of 212,500 inch-pounds. What is the new center of gravity?
- 85.05 inches (Correct answer)
- 85.00 inches
- 85.30 inches
- 84.70 inches
Correct answer: 85.05 inches
First, calculate the moment of the new antenna: 5 lbs * 150 in = 750 in-lbs. Next, add the new weight and moment to the existing totals: New Weight = 2,500 + 5 = 2,505 lbs. New Moment = 212,500 + 750 = 213,250 in-lbs. Finally, calculate the new CG: New CG = New Moment / New Weight = 213,250 / 2,505 = 85.13 inches.
Question 6: What is the primary effect of loading an aircraft with a center of gravity (CG) at the forward limit?
- Decreased stall speed and improved fuel efficiency.
- Increased stability and higher stall speed. (Correct answer)
- Reduced stability and lighter control forces.
- Improved takeoff performance and shorter landing roll.
Correct answer: Increased stability and higher stall speed.
A forward CG increases longitudinal stability because the CG is further from the center of lift, increasing the leverage of the tail. However, this requires more tail-down force to maintain level flight, which increases the total lift required from the wing. This higher angle of attack results in a higher stall speed and increased drag, reducing fuel efficiency.
AMT Aircraft Weight and Balance Questions and Answers 1
An aircraft is loaded such that its center of gravity (CG) is located aft of the allowable range.
Which of the following is a likely consequence of this condition?