Mass & Balance — AeroplanesAir Navigation — DGCA CPL practice questions
Question 1 of 10
The Centre of Gravity (CG) of an aircraft is the point at which:
All 10 questions — Mass & Balance — Aeroplanes
Air Navigation · DGCA CPL. The correct option is marked on each.
Q1. The Centre of Gravity (CG) of an aircraft is the point at which:
- A.All lift acts
- B.The total weight of the aircraft acts✓
- C.Engine thrust acts
- D.The tailplane load acts
Why: The CG is the single point through which the total gravitational force (weight) of the aircraft acts, regardless of attitude.
Q2. A moment is defined as:
- A.Weight × Velocity
- B.Weight × Arm (distance from datum)✓
- C.Weight ÷ Arm
- D.Arm ÷ Weight
Why: Moment = Force (weight) × perpendicular distance (arm) from the datum. Used to calculate CG position.
Q3. An aircraft loaded with CG ahead of the forward limit will:
- A.Be unstable longitudinally
- B.Require excessive back pressure to flare, increasing stall risk✓
- C.Have reduced range
- D.Stall at a lower speed
Why: A forward CG beyond the forward limit makes the aircraft nose-heavy; excessive back pressure to flare on landing may not be achievable, increasing stall and tail-strike risk.
Q4. An aft CG condition (behind the aft limit) results in:
- A.Improved stability and lower stick forces
- B.Reduced longitudinal stability — may be unrecoverable from stall✓
- C.Lower fuel consumption
- D.Higher maximum takeoff weight
Why: An aft CG reduces longitudinal stability. In extreme cases the aircraft can become uncontrollable — unable to recover from a stall or enter phugoid divergence.
Q5. Basic Empty Weight (BEW) of an aircraft includes:
- A.BEW + standard items like crew and usable fuel
- B.Aircraft structure, fixed equipment, unusable fuel, and full engine oil✓
- C.Aircraft + payload only
- D.Operating weight including crew
Why: BEW = aircraft structure + fixed equipment + unusable fuel + full oil. It does NOT include usable fuel, crew, passengers, or cargo.
Q6. Zero Fuel Weight (ZFW) is:
- A.Aircraft weight before engines are started
- B.Maximum permissible weight with no usable fuel✓
- C.Empty weight + payload
- D.Takeoff weight minus landing fuel
Why: ZFW is the maximum total weight with no usable fuel loaded. It represents the structural loading limit of the wing root when fuel tanks are empty. ZFW + usable fuel = takeoff weight.
Q7. For a given fuel burn, a rear-loaded aircraft whose fuel tanks are in the wings will experience a CG shift:
- A.Forward as fuel burns from rear fuselage tank✓
- B.Aft as fuel burns
- C.No shift
- D.Depends on fuel density
Why: As wing fuel burns, the moment of the fuel decreases near mid-aircraft. If CG was aft (rear loading), burning wing fuel can shift CG forward — this must be monitored throughout flight.
Q8. Standard traffic load weight per passenger used in DGCA performance calculations is:
- A.75 kg
- B.80 kg✓
- C.84 kg
- D.70 kg
Why: DGCA uses 80 kg as the standard passenger weight (including carry-on baggage) for load and performance calculations unless actual weights are available.
Q9. To move the CG aft within limits, a pilot could:
- A.Add weight to the nose baggage compartment
- B.Move passengers from front seats to rear seats✓
- C.Reduce fuel load only
- D.Increase takeoff power
Why: Moving mass rearward shifts the CG aft. Moving passengers from the front to the rear seats increases the total aft moment, moving CG rearward.
Q10. The Load and Trim Sheet (LTS) is used to:
- A.Calculate aircraft maintenance schedule
- B.Verify the aircraft is within weight and CG limits before flight✓
- C.Plan fuel stops
- D.Calculate structural fatigue
Why: The Load and Trim Sheet documents payload distribution, calculates TOW and landing weight, and verifies that CG remains within the envelope for all phases of flight.