Performance, Mass and Balance Operational Application
Core concepts
Performance questions require applying take-off and landing distance data, climb gradients, and mass limits. Know maximum take-off mass, maximum landing mass, maximum zero fuel mass, and regulated versus operational limits. Balance affects handling and performance: centre of gravity forward increases stall speed and rotation effort; aft reduces stability.
Traps in questions
Questions often give a mass and ask whether a limit is exceeded after adding fuel - remember maximum landing mass applies at the destination before fuel for the next leg. Another trap is confusing pressure altitude with density altitude: high temperature and high elevation reduce performance. Also watch for contaminated runway corrections and the difference between dry, wet and contaminated braking action.
Worked example
MTOM 5700 kg, MLM 5400 kg, MZFM 5100 kg. Basic mass 3500 kg, payload 1500 kg, trip fuel 400 kg, taxi 50 kg. Zero fuel mass = 5000 kg (within 5100). Take-off mass = 5450 kg (within 5700). Landing mass = 5450 − 400 = 5050 kg (within 5400). All limits satisfied.
Rule of thumb
Compute zero fuel mass first, then add fuel in stages - it makes limit breaches obvious.
Operational application
Always apply the most limiting of the regulatory, performance and structural limits, and recalculate when fuel or payload changes.
Human Factors and Crew Resource Management in Operations
Core concepts
CRM covers communication, leadership, situational awareness, workload management, decision making and threat and error management. Understand the error chain, the difference between slips, lapses and mistakes, and how fatigue, stress and complacency degrade performance. Know the role of briefing, cross-checking, and assertiveness in the cockpit.
Traps in questions
Questions test whether you can identify a hazardous attitude - for example, "it won't happen to me" (invulnerability) or "I can do it" (macho). Another trap is confusing situational awareness loss with a technical failure: the correct response is to re-establish the picture, not to troubleshoot harder. Watch for questions about authority gradient: a steep gradient suppresses challenge, and the remedy is explicit invitation to speak up.
Worked example
During approach, the pilot flying calls for landing gear down but the pilot monitoring notices the gear indication is unsafe. Rather than accepting the flow, the monitoring pilot states clearly: "Gear indication is not down and locked - go around." The challenge is specific, assertive and action-oriented.
Rule of thumb
Use graded assertiveness: hint, then make the concern explicit, then state the action required - do not let a concern remain unspoken.
Fatigue and fitness
Recognise fatigue signs, use rest and rotation where available, and never treat tiredness as a personal weakness to be hidden.