When computing weight and balance, an airplane is considered to be in balance when

When computing weight and balance, an airplane is considered to be in balance when

• A. the average moment arm equals zero
• B. the CG is at the center of gravity of the aircraft
• C. the average moment arm of the loaded airplane falls within CG range
• D. the total weight equals zero

Answer: (C)

Weight and balance hinges on where the center of gravity sits. An airplane is in balance when the center of gravity, found as the average moment arm of all weights loaded, lies within the aircraft’s published CG range for that weight and configuration. In other words, CG = total moments / total weight, so you want that average moment arm to fall inside the allowed envelope to ensure proper stability and structural limits. The datum is arbitrary, so the average moment arm does not have to be zero. If the CG falls outside the permissible range, controllability and safety can be compromised. The idea isn’t about zero weight or a tautological position; it’s about keeping the CG within the specified limits.

Weight and balance hinges on where the center of gravity sits. An airplane is in balance when the center of gravity, found as the average moment arm of all weights loaded, lies within the aircraft’s published CG range for that weight and configuration. In other words, CG = total moments / total weight, so you want that average moment arm to fall inside the allowed envelope to ensure proper stability and structural limits. The datum is arbitrary, so the average moment arm does not have to be zero. If the CG falls outside the permissible range, controllability and safety can be compromised. The idea isn’t about zero weight or a tautological position; it’s about keeping the CG within the specified limits.