EASA 031 Mass & Balance study plan
EASA 031 Mass & Balance · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Mass and balance fundamentals: mass, weight, force, and units; definitions of empty mass, dry operating mass, take-off mass, landing mass, zero-fuel mass, payload, useful load, and traffic load; centre of gravity and its significance & Load and balance calculations: arms, moments, and moment arms; use of loading tables, graphs, and nomograms; calculating take-off and landing mass and CG; shifting loads, adding/removing mass, and the effect of fuel burn on CG
Define and differentiate mass, weight, force, and their units (kg, lb, N, daN) and convert between them accurately.
List and explain the standard mass terms (empty mass, dry operating mass, take-off mass, landing mass, zero-fuel mass, payload, useful load, traffic load) and state the relationships between them.
Explain the concept of centre of gravity (CG) and why it is critical for stability, control, and performance.
Calculate moments and moment arms for simple load configurations using the formula moment = mass × arm.
Solve basic CG problems by computing total mass and total moment and deriving the CG position.
Your checkpoint
A one-page summary sheet of mass definitions and a set of 10 solved CG calculation problems with step-by-step working.
Load and balance calculations: arms, moments, and moment arms; use of loading tables, graphs, and nomograms; calculating take-off and landing mass and CG; shifting loads, adding/removing mass, and the effect of fuel burn on CG & Aircraft mass limitations: maximum structural masses (MTOM, MLM, MZFM), performance-limited masses, regulated and operational limits, and the relationship between mass and structural/performance limits
Use loading tables, graphs, and nomograms to determine moments and CG positions for given load distributions.
Calculate take-off mass and CG from a given empty mass, crew, payload, and fuel load.
Calculate landing mass and CG after fuel burn, accounting for fuel consumption and unusable fuel.
Identify and explain maximum structural masses (MTOM, MLM, MZFM) and performance-limited masses.
Analyze how shifting loads, adding or removing mass, and fuel burn affect the CG position.
Your checkpoint
A completed load sheet for a sample aircraft with at least three different load scenarios, showing take-off and landing mass and CG, and a half-page explanation of how each scenario affects CG.
Centre of gravity limits: forward and aft CG limits, CG range and envelope, reasons for limits (stability, control, performance), and the effect of CG position on stall speed, cruise performance, and fuel consumption & Aircraft mass limitations: maximum structural masses (MTOM, MLM, MZFM), performance-limited masses, regulated and operational limits, and the relationship between mass and structural/performance limits
Describe forward and aft CG limits and the CG envelope, and explain the reasons for each limit (stability, control, performance).
Explain the effect of CG position on stall speed, cruise performance, and fuel consumption.
Relate mass limits to structural and performance limitations and identify operational limits (e.g., runway, climb, obstacle).
Determine whether a given mass and CG combination is within limits using a CG envelope diagram.
Explain the consequences of exceeding forward and aft CG limits.
Your checkpoint
A written analysis (about 300 words) of how CG affects stall speed, cruise performance, and fuel consumption, plus a solved example of checking a load against the CG envelope.
Determination of aircraft empty mass and CG: weighing procedures, weighing equipment, preparation of the aircraft, reading errors, and documentation of empty mass and CG & Fuel and oil: fuel mass calculations, fuel density, fuel loading and distribution, unusable fuel, oil mass, and the effect of fuel on mass and balance
Describe weighing procedures, weighing equipment, and preparation of the aircraft for weighing.
Identify common reading errors and how to minimize them during weighing.
Explain how empty mass and CG are documented and the importance of updating mass and balance records.
Calculate fuel mass from volume and density, and explain the effect of fuel density on mass and balance.
Explain the treatment of unusable fuel and oil mass in mass and balance calculations.
Your checkpoint
A flow chart of the weighing process and a set of 5 fuel mass calculations with varying densities, including a check of the effect on CG.
Loading documentation and control: load sheets, trim sheets, loading instructions, mass and balance records, and the responsibilities of the loading supervisor and flight crew & Cargo and baggage loading: hold loading, floor load limits, area load limits, load spreading, tie-down and restraint, dangerous goods considerations, and the effect of load distribution on mass and balance
Interpret a load sheet, trim sheet, and loading instructions, and explain the responsibilities of the loading supervisor and flight crew.
Explain the purpose and content of mass and balance records and how they are used for operational control.
Describe hold loading, floor load limits, area load limits, and load spreading.
Explain tie-down and restraint requirements and the effect of load distribution on mass and balance.
Identify dangerous goods considerations relevant to loading and mass and balance.
Your checkpoint
A completed load sheet and trim sheet for a given cargo load, with a checklist verifying compliance with floor load limits, area load limits, and restraint requirements.
Mass and balance fundamentals: mass, weight, force, and units; definitions of empty mass, dry operating mass, take-off mass, landing mass, zero-fuel mass, payload, useful load, and traffic load; centre of gravity and its significance & Aircraft mass limitations: maximum structural masses (MTOM, MLM, MZFM), performance-limited masses, regulated and operational limits, and the relationship between mass and structural/performance limits & Centre of gravity limits: forward and aft CG limits, CG range and envelope, reasons for limits (stability, control, performance), and the effect of CG position on stall speed, cruise performance, and fuel consumption
Review and consolidate definitions and relationships of mass terms.
Review mass limitations and the relationship between mass and structural/performance limits.
Review CG limits, CG envelope, and the effects of CG position on performance.
Solve mixed problems combining mass definitions, limits, and CG effects.
Your checkpoint
A set of 20 multiple-choice questions covering domains 1, 2, and 3, with explanations for each answer.
Determination of aircraft empty mass and CG: weighing procedures, weighing equipment, preparation of the aircraft, reading errors, and documentation of empty mass and CG & Load and balance calculations: arms, moments, and moment arms; use of loading tables, graphs, and nomograms; calculating take-off and landing mass and CG; shifting loads, adding/removing mass, and the effect of fuel burn on CG & Fuel and oil: fuel mass calculations, fuel density, fuel loading and distribution, unusable fuel, oil mass, and the effect of fuel on mass and balance
Review weighing procedures and documentation of empty mass and CG.
Practice complex load and balance calculations using loading tables, graphs, and nomograms.
Review fuel mass calculations, fuel density, and fuel distribution effects.
Solve problems involving shifting loads, adding/removing mass, and fuel burn on CG.
Your checkpoint
A set of 10 complex load and balance problems with full solutions, including at least 3 involving fuel burn and 2 involving load shifting.
Loading documentation and control: load sheets, trim sheets, loading instructions, mass and balance records, and the responsibilities of the loading supervisor and flight crew & Cargo and baggage loading: hold loading, floor load limits, area load limits, load spreading, tie-down and restraint, dangerous goods considerations, and the effect of load distribution on mass and balance
Review loading documentation, load sheets, trim sheets, and responsibilities.
Review cargo and baggage loading, floor load limits, area load limits, load spreading, and restraint.
Review dangerous goods considerations.
Complete a full mock exam covering all domains under timed conditions.
Your checkpoint
A timed mock exam (at least 30 questions) with a score of 80% or higher, and a review of incorrect answers.
Milestones
Week 2: Successfully calculate take-off and landing mass and CG for three different load scenarios without errors.
Week 4: Explain weighing procedures and fuel mass calculations accurately, and complete all fuel density problems correctly.
Week 6: Score at least 75% on the self-made 20-question quiz covering domains 1, 2, and 3.
Week 8: Achieve at least 80% on the timed mock exam covering all domains.