Dale Crane's Oral and Practical Exam Guide: General; Weight and Balance questions with correct answers

When should an aircraft be reweighed? CORRECT ANSWER -After an extensive repair or alteration that could change its weight or center of gravity -There is no FAA requirement that it be periodically reweighed. There is, however, an FAA requirement that the airplane always have a current and accurate weight and balance report. If the weight and balance report for an aircraft is lost, the aircraft must be weighed and a new report must be created. If the airplane has new equipment installed, such as a radio or a global positioning system, a new weight and balance report must be created. If the installer of the equipment wants to place the airplane on scales and weigh it after the installation, that is a perfectly acceptable way of creating the new report. (FAA-H-8083-30, Ch. 04) Why is it necessary to consider the category under which an aircraft is licensed when computing its weight and balance? CORRECT ANSWER -Different categories under which an aircraft can be licensed have different maximum gross weights and different center of gravity ranges -For many aircraft, there are variations to the maximum allowable weight, depending on the purpose and conditions under which the aircraft is to be own. For example, a certain aircraft may be allowed a maximum gross weight of 2,750 lb when own in the normal category, but when own in the utility cat- egory, which allows for limited aerobatics, the same aircraft's maximum allowable gross weight might only be 2,175 lb. (FAA-H-8083-30, Ch. 04) Where do you find the labeling means that are specified for a particular aircraft? CORRECT ANSWER In the Type Certificate Data Sheets for the aircraft What is meant by tare weight? CORRECT ANSWER -The of any chocks and other items that are used to hold the aircraft on the scal