ATPL(A) · subject 031

Mass & Balance — revision notes

Two questions, and only two: is the aeroplane too heavy, and is the load in the right place. Everything else follows from those.

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A page from the Mass & Balance notes
A page from the Mass & Balance notes

What is inside

Mass & Balance

Part 1 · 031 01

Why mass and balance matter

What mass imposes on structure and performance, and what centre of gravity position imposes on stability and controllability.

Part 2 · 031 02

Loading and limits

Mass terminology, the BEM → DOM → ZFM → TOM chain, structural and performance limits, and the regulatory standard masses.

Part 3 · 031 03

CG fundamentals

Datum, arm and moment. The centre of gravity calculation is one division, provided you do not get the signs wrong.

Part 4 · 031 04

Documentation and weighing

What the mass and balance documentation contains, how weighing is carried out, and the fleet mass rules.

Part 5 · 031 05

Determining and moving the CG

Arithmetic, graphic and index methods. Load and trim sheets. Shifting, adding and removing load, and ballast.

Part 6 · 031 06

Cargo and holds

Cargo types, floor area load and running load. Followed by the appendices: formulae, traps, key terms, corrections and sources.

The parts, in syllabus order

Part 1Why mass and balance matter031 01 — Mass limitations · Centre of gravity limitations
Part 2Loading and limits031 02 — Terminology · Mass limits · Mass calculations · Standard masses
Part 3CG fundamentals031 03 — Definition of centre of gravity · Conditions of equilibrium · Basic calculations
Part 4Documentation and weighing031 04 — Documentation contents · Weighing · Extraction of basic data
Part 5Determining and moving the CG031 05 — Methods · Load and trim sheet · Intentional repositioning of the CG
Part 6Cargo and holds031 06 — Cargo types · Floor area load and running load

Exam traps you will meet in this subject

What people get wrong

A sample from Appendix B. The full list is in the notes.

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031 Mass & Balance

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