CAAP Private Pilot License (PPL) Operational Procedures Practice Test 2026 – Your Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

Unlock all questions

This demo includes only 20 questions. Upgrade to access hundreds of questions, flashcards, exam simulations, and disable ads.

Full question bankExam simulationsFlashcards

From $12.50Unlock all

Session length

1 / 20

For a student in a light aircraft, how do you perform a pre-flight weight and balance check?

Use published weight and balance data; fill out the form; verify CG remains within limits.

The main idea is to use the aircraft’s published weight and balance data and verify the center of gravity stays within the allowable range before flight. Each light airplane has a documented empty weight and moment, plus forward and aft CG limits. You must account for every load: pilot and passenger weights, baggage, fuel, oil, and any gear. Use the published weight and balance data and a form or calculator to add up the total weight and the total moment, then compute the CG. Compare that CG to the aircraft’s limits and ensure it’s within the permitted range. If it’s outside, adjust loading—move baggage, change seating, or alter fuel load—until the CG lies between the specified limits.

Why the other approaches aren’t acceptable: guesswork isn’t reliable for safety-critical balance, and skipping the CG check endangers controllability and compliance. Relying only on fuel weight ignores the impact of passengers, baggage, and other items on balance, so it can mislead you about the actual CG.

Estimate weight by guesswork.

Skip the CG check to save time.

Use only fuel weight to compute balance.