Brunei DCA CPL(A) Mass & Balance Exam study guide
Brunei DCA CPL(A) Mass & Balance Exam · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Brunei DCA CPL(A) Mass & Balance examination is one of the technical knowledge papers a candidate must pass to obtain a Commercial Pilot Licence (Aeroplane) issued by the Department of Civil Aviation, Brunei Darussalam. It is aimed at trainee commercial pilots who have completed the relevant ground training and need to demonstrate that they can compute and apply aircraft weight and balance data to a professional standard. The Brunei DCA CPL(A) Mass & Balance Exam study guide has 7 sections and about 3,165 words.
01Mass and Balance Fundamentals and Definitions
Every aircraft has a maximum mass it can safely support and a limited range of centre of gravity (CG) positions within which it remains controllable. Mass and balance is the discipline of ensuring both limits are respected before every flight.
400 words, about 2 min02Aircraft Mass Limitations (MTOM, MLM, MZFM, MRW)
Four structural mass limits dominate CPL questions: MTOM (maximum take-off mass) - the greatest mass permitted for the start of the take-off run. MLM (maximum landing mass) - the greatest mass permitted at touchdown; often lower than MTOM.
363 words, about 2 min03Centre of Gravity
Centre of gravity (CG) is the point through which the total mass of the aircraft acts. It is expressed as a percentage of mean aerodynamic chord (% MAC) or as a station/balance arm from the datum.
344 words, about 2 min04Datum and Balance Arm Calculations
The datum is an arbitrary reference plane from which all balance arms are measured, usually forward of the nose. A station is a location defined by its distance from the datum.
344 words, about 2 min05Load Sheet and Trim Sheet Preparation
The load sheet is the document that records the aircraft's mass and CG for a flight, signed by the person responsible (usually the loading supervisor and the commander). It shows DOM, traffic load, fuel, TOM, LM, ZFM, and the CG position at take-off and landing.
372 words, about 2 min06Fuel, Payload and Cargo Distribution Effects
Fuel is carried in tanks at specific arms. As fuel burns, the aircraft mass decreases and the CG moves - the direction depends on tank location relative to the CG.
320 words, about 2 min07Performance Effects of Mass and CG Position
Increasing mass affects nearly every performance parameter adversely: Take-off and landing distances increase. Climb gradient and rate of climb decrease.
1,022 words, about 5 min