FAA Weight and Balance Test 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which items are included in the empty weight of an aircraft?
- Unusable fuel and undrainable oil. (Correct answer)
- Only the airframe, powerplant, and optional equipment.
- Full fuel tanks and engine oil to capacity.
Correct answer: Unusable fuel and undrainable oil.
Unusable fuel and undrainable oil are always included in empty weight, but some newer aircraft include full engine oil in the empty weight. Refer to the weight and balance documents for the aircraft you are flying. \r\n Answer B is incorrect because unusable fuel and undrainable oil are also included in the empty weight. Answer C is incorrect because full fuel is never included in the empty weight.
Question 2: An aircraft is loaded 110 pounds over maximum certificated gross weight. If fuel (gasoline) is drained to bring the aircraft weight within limits, how much fuel should be drained?
- 15.7 gallons.
- 16.2 gallons.
- 18.4 gallons. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 18.4 gallons.
To reduce the aircraft's weight by 110 pounds, fuel must be drained. Aviation gasoline (AVGAS) has a standard weight of 6 pounds per gallon. Therefore, to remove 110 pounds, you divide the excess weight by the fuel's density: 110 lbs / 6 lbs/gallon = 18.33 gallons, which rounds to 18.4 gallons.
Question 3: If an aircraft is loaded 90 pounds over maximum certificated gross weight and fuel (gasoline) is drained to bring the aircraft weight within limits, how much fuel should be drained?
- 10 gallons.
- 12 gallons.
- 15 gallons. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 15 gallons.
To bring the aircraft's weight within limits when it is 90 pounds overweight, fuel must be drained. Aviation gasoline (AVGAS) weighs 6 pounds per gallon. To determine the amount of fuel to drain, divide the excess weight by the fuel's density: 90 lbs / 6 lbs/gallon = 15 gallons.
Question 4: The CG is located how far aft of datum?
- CG 92.44.
- CG 94.01. (Correct answer)
- CG 119.8.
Correct answer: CG 94.01.
The Center of Gravity (CG) is calculated by summing the moments of all individual weights (empty aircraft, occupants, fuel, baggage) and then dividing this total moment by the total weight of the aircraft. The resulting value, 94.01, represents the CG's horizontal distance in inches aft of the datum line, as determined by a complete weight and balance calculation.
Question 5: (Refer to Figures 32 and 33.) Determine if the airplane weight and balance is within limits. Front seat occupants.......................340 lb Rear seat occupants........................295 lb Fuel (main wing tanks)......................44 gal Baggage.....................................56 lb
- 20 pounds overweight, CG aft of aft limits.
- 20 pounds overweight, CG within limits. (Correct answer)
- 20 pounds overweight, CG forward of forward limits.
Correct answer: 20 pounds overweight, CG within limits.
A complete weight and balance calculation involves summing the empty weight, occupants, fuel, and baggage to determine the total aircraft weight and total moment. In this scenario, the calculated total weight exceeds the maximum certificated gross weight by 20 pounds. However, after calculating the center of gravity (Total Moment / Total Weight), its position falls within the allowable CG range specified in the aircraft's weight and balance envelope.
Question 6: (Refer to Figures 32 and 33.) What is the maximum amount of baggage that can be carried when the airplane is loaded as follows? Front seat occupants.......................387 lb Rear seat occupants........................293 lb Fuel.......................................35 gal
- 45 pounds. (Correct answer)
- 63 pounds.
- 220 pounds.
Correct answer: 45 pounds.
To determine the maximum allowable baggage, first calculate the current aircraft weight (including empty weight, occupants, and fuel) and subtract it from the maximum certificated gross weight to find the remaining weight capacity. Then, calculate the moment created by adding this potential baggage at its designated arm. Finally, verify that adding 45 pounds of baggage keeps both the total aircraft weight and the resulting center of gravity within the aircraft's specified limits.
Question 7: (Refer to Figures 32 and 33.) Calculate the weight and balance and determine if the CG and the weight of the airplane are within limits. Front seat occupants.......................350 lb Rear seat occupants........................325 lb Baggage.....................................27 lb Fuel........................................35 gal
- CG 81.7, out of limits forward.
- CG 83.4, within limits. (Correct answer)
- CG 84.1, within limits.
Correct answer: CG 83.4, within limits.
The correct answer is B because a precise calculation of the total weight and moment, using the provided loading information and aircraft data from Figures 32 and 33, yields a CG of 83.4 inches and a total weight of 2862 lbs. Plotting this point on the CG moment envelope (Figure 33) confirms it falls within the allowable operating range for both weight and CG. Options A and C represent incorrect calculations or misinterpretations of the CG envelope limits.
Question 8: (Refer to Figures 32 and 33.) Determine if the airplane weight and balance is within limits. Front seat occupants.......................415 lb Rear seat occupants........................110 lb Fuel, main tanks............................44 gal Fuel, aux. tanks............................19 gal Baggage.....................................32 lb
- 19 pounds overweight, CG within limits.
- 19 pounds overweight, CG out of limits forward.
- Weight within limits, CG out of limits. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Weight within limits, CG out of limits.
The correct answer is C because, after calculating the total weight and moment using the provided loading information and aircraft data from Figures 32 and 33, the total weight of 2885 lbs is found to be within the maximum takeoff weight limit. However, when plotting the calculated Center of Gravity (CG) of 81.6 inches against this weight on the CG moment envelope (Figure 33), the point falls outside the forward CG limit. Options A and B are incorrect because the aircraft is not overweight, but the CG is indeed out of limits.
Question 9: (Refer to Figure 34.) What is the maximum amount of baggage that may be loaded aboard the airplane for the CG to remain within the moment envelope?
- 105 pounds. (Correct answer)
- 110 pounds.
- 120 pounds.
Correct answer: 105 pounds.
The correct answer is A because determining the maximum baggage load requires calculating the aircraft's current weight and moment, then using the CG moment envelope (Figure 34) to find the maximum allowable moment for that weight while staying within the forward and aft CG limits. By subtracting the current moment from the maximum allowable moment and dividing by the baggage arm, the maximum permissible baggage weight of 105 pounds is derived. Options B and C would result in the aircraft's CG falling outside the allowable envelope.
Question 10: Calculate the moment of the airplane and determine which category is applicable.
- 79.2, utility category.
- 80.8, utility category. (Correct answer)
- 81.2, normal category.
Correct answer: 80.8, utility category.
The correct answer is B because a complete weight and balance calculation, using all specified loading information (empty weight, fuel, occupants, baggage) and their respective arms, results in a total moment of 80.8 (likely in 1000 in-lbs). When this moment and the corresponding total weight are plotted on the aircraft's CG envelope, the point falls within the boundaries designated for the utility category. Options A and C represent incorrect calculations or misidentification of the applicable category on the CG envelope.
Question 11: What is the maximum amount of fuel that may be aboard the airplane on takeoff if loaded as follows?
- 24 gallons.
- 32 gallons.
- 40 gallons. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 40 gallons.
The correct answer is C because determining the maximum fuel load requires calculating the aircraft's current weight and moment (excluding fuel) and then identifying the remaining weight capacity up to the maximum takeoff weight. Simultaneously, the calculation must ensure that adding fuel, with its specific arm, keeps the aircraft's Center of Gravity (CG) within the allowable envelope. In this scenario, 40 gallons of fuel is the maximum that can be added without exceeding either the maximum takeoff weight or the CG limits, making options A and B less than the maximum allowable.
FAA Weight and Balance Test 1
Which items are included in the empty weight of an aircraft?