Airplane Weight & Balance

Objective: To familiarize the student with the effects of weight and location of center of gravity on flight characteristics and to teach the student to calculate the weight and balance data for the aircraft he is flying.
Content:
  • Effects of weight on flight performance
  • Effects of weight on airplane structure
  • Effects of weight on stability and controllability
  • Effects of load distribution
    • Forward CG is “heavier” and thus slower
    • In general, controllability decreases with reward moving CG
      • CG limit within 1 inch of maximum for spin recovery for Normal category, several inches for Utility
      • Flat spin
    • Effect of long moment arms on controllability
  • Weight and Balance calculation

See PHAN C. 8

See aircraft AFM/POH

Completion Standards: The lesson is complete when the instructor determines that the student has adequate knowledge of weight and balance by giving a written or oral exam and having the student calculate weight and balance for a given situation.
Spruce up your comments with
<a href="" title=""><abbr title=""><acronym title=""><b><blockquote cite=""><cite><code><del datetime=""><em><i><q cite=""><strike><strong>
New comments are moderated before being shown * = required field

Leave a Comment