Certified Flight Instructor - Flight Instructor Airplane Practice Exam

In terms of aircraft performance, what is a primary consideration when determining weight and balance?

1. Fuel consumption rates.

2. Aircraft structural integrity.

3. Center of gravity location.

4. Flight path management.

The correct answer is: Center of gravity location.

When determining weight and balance for an aircraft, the primary consideration is the location of the center of gravity (CG). The CG is critical because it affects the aircraft's stability and control characteristics. An aircraft with a CG that is too far forward or too far aft may have difficulty maintaining level flight, could require more control input to stabilize, and may even lead to a stall or loss of control under certain conditions. Proper weight and balance calculations ensure that the CG remains within specified limits defined by the manufacturer. The CG location influences the flight characteristics, such as pitch stability and responsiveness. For example, if the CG is too far forward, the aircraft may require excessive nose-up trim and could be difficult to maneuver. Conversely, a CG too far aft can lead to an increased risk of stalls since the aircraft may not have sufficient control authority to recover. While aspects like fuel consumption rates, aircraft structural integrity, and flight path management are also important considerations in overall flight operation and safety, they do not directly influence the immediate performance implications associated with weight and balance. Therefore, careful calculations of the CG's location relative to the aircraft's overall weight are essential for safe and effective flight operations.