PHAK Chapter 10 Quiz & Flashcards on Weight & Balance

Study Notes

Deficiencies of Overloaded Aircraft

Overloaded aircraft experience increased takeoff speeds and extended takeoff runs.
Climbing performance worsens with reduced rate and angle of climb, leading to lower maximum altitude achievements.
Operational range diminishes, alongside reduced cruising speeds and maneuverability.
Risks higher stalling speeds and increased approach and landing speeds, contributing to longer landing rolls.
Overweight conditions can result in excessive load on either the nose wheel or tail wheel, affecting landing stability.

Weight of Fuel

Fuel weighs approximately 6 pounds per gallon, influencing total aircraft weight calculations.

Center of Gravity (CG)

CG refers to the specific location where an aircraft balances, crucial for stability during flight.

Nose Heavy Condition

A nose-heavy configuration complicates control, particularly during takeoff and landing phases.

Tail Heavy Condition

A tail-heavy aircraft significantly impacts longitudinal stability, hindering recovery from stalls and spins.
This condition results in light control forces, increasing the risk of unintentional aircraft overstressing.

Negligible Weight Changes

Negligible weight changes are defined as:
- 1 lb or less for aircraft under 5,000 lbs empty weight.
- 2 lbs or less for aircraft between 5,000 lbs and 50,000 lbs empty weight.
- 5 lbs or less for aircraft over 50,000 lbs empty weight.

Negligible CG Change

Any CG change less than 0.05% of Mean Aerodynamic Chord (MAC) for fixed-wing aircraft is considered negligible.

Arm Definition

Arm represents the horizontal distance from the reference datum line to an item’s CG, measured in inches; it is positive (+) if aft of the datum and negative (-) if forward.

Basic Empty Weight

Basic empty weight includes the standard empty weight along with weights of optional and special equipment installed in the aircraft.

Center of Gravity Limits

CG limits are specified forward and aft positions that must be maintained during flight for safety and control.

CG Range

The CG range represents the distance between the forward and aft CG limits essential for maintaining controllability.

Reference Datum

An imaginary vertical plane or line that serves as a baseline for all measurements of an item's arm.

Delta Symbol

Delta (Δ) is the Greek letter used to signify changes in values within calculations.

Floor Load Limit

Refers to the maximum weight the floor of the aircraft can support per square foot/inch, essential for weight distribution safety.

Fuel Load

The fuel load constitutes the expendable part of the aircraft's weight, considering only usable fuel.

Maximum Landing Weight

The maximum landing weight is defined as the highest weight at which an aircraft is allowed to land safely.

Maximum Ramp Weight

Maximum ramp weight includes the total weight of a loaded aircraft, accounting for all fuel and often exceeding takeoff weight due to fuel usage during taxi and run-up.

Maximum Takeoff Weight

Identifies the maximum weight permitted for safe takeoff.

Maximum Weight

Refers to the maximum authorized weight of the aircraft, including all equipment.

Maximum Zero Fuel Weight

This weight excludes usable fuel, setting a limit for the aircraft’s weight without fuel.

Mean Aerodynamic Chord (MAC)

MAC is the average distance from the leading to the trailing edge of the aircraft wing, vital in aerodynamic calculations.

Moment Calculation

Moment is derived as the product of an item’s weight and its arm, measured in pounds-inches (in-lb).
Total moment represents the aircraft's entire weight multiplied by the distance from the datum to its CG.

Moment Index

Moment index is obtained by dividing the moment by a constant (100, 1,000, or 10,000), facilitating simpler weight and balance calculations.

Payload

Payload encompasses the collective weight of occupants, cargo, and baggage within the aircraft.

Standard Empty Weight

This weight comprises the aircraft’s structure, engines, and all permanently installed operating equipment, including necessary fluids and unusable fuel.

Station Definition

A station is marked by a number indicating its specific distance in inches from the reference datum within the aircraft.

Useful Load

Useful load refers to the combined weight of pilots, passengers, cargo, usable fuel, and drainable oil, critical for operational capacity.

Factors Reducing Maximum Gross Weight

Specific practical aspects that may decrease the aircraft's maximum gross weight during operations must be considered for safety and performance.

Description

Test your knowledge on the weight and balance concepts outlined in Chapter 10 of the Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (PHAK). This quiz covers essential definitions and effects of overloaded aircraft, as well as key calculations involved in weight management.

PHAK Chapter 10 Weight & Balance Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What are the deficiencies of overloaded aircraft? (Select all that apply)

What is the weight of gas per gallon?

What does balance refer to in aviation?

A nose-heavy condition causes problems in controlling and raising the nose during takeoff and landing.

A tail-heavy condition has no effect on longitudinal stability.

What is the negligible weight change for an aircraft with an empty weight of less than 5,000 lbs?

How is the arm defined in aviation terms?

What is basic empty weight?

What does the center of gravity (CG) represent in an aircraft?

Maximum landing weight is the greatest weight that an aircraft is normally allowed to have at ______.

What is the definition of useful load in aviation?