Mass & Balance for pilots
Loading an airplane within its limits: the masses, the center of gravity and its envelope, load sheets, cargo and trim, from EASA ATPL subject 031.
PPL · CPL · ATPL
Aircraft Mass Definitions
The chain of mass terms from basic empty mass through dry operating, zero fuel, ramp, takeoff and landing mass, and their FAA weight equivalents.
PPL · CPL · ATPL
Aircraft Weighing
When and how aircraft are weighed to establish empty mass and CG, the weighing equipment used, the records kept and the use of fleet mass values.
CPL · ATPL
Cargo Loading and Floor Limits
Loading freight in bulk holds and unit load devices, and checking floor, running-load and compartment limits, including the use of load spreaders and restraint.
PPL · CPL · ATPL
Center of Gravity
What the center of gravity is, how it is found from datum, arm and moment, how it is expressed in %MAC, the forward and aft limits, and the formulas for CG shift and mass changes.
PPL · CPL · ATPL
Fuel Mass and Fuel Loading
Converting fuel volume to mass using specific gravity, usable and unusable fuel, and how the fuel loading and burn sequence and trim tanks move the CG.
PPL · CPL
Light Aircraft Weight and Balance
Weight and balance for light aircraft: empty weight, arms and moments, the loading graph and CG envelope, fuel and passenger loading and a worked example.
CPL · ATPL
Load and Trim Sheet
The mass and balance documents prepared before each flight, how index units simplify the trim sheet, and how last minute changes are handled.
CPL · ATPL
Maximum Structural and Regulated Masses
The certified structural mass limits (ramp, takeoff, landing and zero fuel), why they exist, and how performance limits give the regulated takeoff and landing mass.
CPL · ATPL
Standard Masses for Passengers and Baggage
When operators may use standard rather than actual masses for passengers and baggage, the EASA standard mass tables and their variants, and the FAA equivalent program.
Test yourself on Mass & Balance
The v1prep banks cover this topic in Mass and Balance (031), with a worked explanation for every answer.
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