Posts | Flight-Study

Determining Aircraft Loaded Weight and Center of Gravity

There are various methods for determining the loaded weight and CG of an aircraft. There is the computational method as well as methods that utilize graphs and tables provided by the aircraft manufacturer. Computational Method The following is an example of the computational method involving the application of basic math functions. Aircraft Allowances: […]

Determining Aircraft Loaded Weight and Center of Gravity Read Post »

Weight and Balance | Aeronautical Knowledge

Balance, Stability, and Center of Gravity – Aircraft Weight and Balance

Aeronautical Knowledge, Flying Training

Balance refers to the location of the CG of an aircraft, and is important to stability and safety in flight. The CG is a point at which the aircraft would balance if it were suspended at that point. The primary concern in balancing an aircraft is the fore and aft location of the CG along

Balance, Stability, and Center of Gravity – Aircraft Weight and Balance Read Post »

Weight and Balance | Aeronautical Knowledge

Weight Control

Aeronautical Knowledge, Flying Training

As discussed in earlier, Aerodynamics of Flight, weight is the force with which gravity attracts a body toward the center of the Earth. It is a product of the mass of a body and the acceleration acting on the body. Weight is a major factor in aircraft construction and operation and demands respect from all

Weight Control Read Post »

Weight and Balance | Aeronautical Knowledge

Airworthiness Directives (ADs) and Aircraft Owner/Operator Responsibilities

Aeronautical Knowledge, Flying Training

Airworthiness Directives (ADs) A primary safety function of the FAA is to require correction of unsafe conditions found in an aircraft, aircraft engine, propeller, or appliance when such conditions exist and are likely to exist or develop in other products of the same design. The unsafe condition may exist because of a design defect, maintenance,

Airworthiness Directives (ADs) and Aircraft Owner/Operator Responsibilities Read Post »

Flight Manuals and Other Documents

Preventive Maintenance

Aeronautical Knowledge, Flying Training

Preventive maintenance is regarded as simple or minor preservation operations and the replacement of small standard parts, not involving complex assembly operations. Allowed items of preventative maintenance are listed and limited to the items of 14 CFR part 43, appendix A(c). Maintenance Entries All pilots who perform preventive maintenance must make an entry in the

Preventive Maintenance Read Post »

Flight Manuals and Other Documents

Minimum Equipment Lists (MEL) and Operations With Inoperative Equipment

Aeronautical Knowledge, Flying Training

Under 14 CFR, all aircraft instruments and installed equipment are required to be operative prior to each departure. When the FAA adopted the minimum equipment list (MEL) concept for 14 CFR part 91 operations, it allowed aircraft to be operated with inoperative equipment determined to be nonessential for safe flight. At the same time, it

Minimum Equipment Lists (MEL) and Operations With Inoperative Equipment Read Post »

Flight Manuals and Other Documents

Aircraft Inspections

Aeronautical Knowledge, Flying Training

Under 14 CFR part 91, the primary responsibility for maintaining an aircraft in an airworthy condition falls on the owner or operator of the aircraft. Certain inspections must be performed on the aircraft, and the owner must maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft during the time between required inspections by having any defects corrected. Under

Aircraft Inspections Read Post »

Flight Manuals and Other Documents

Aircraft Documents

Aeronautical Knowledge, Flying Training

Certificate of Aircraft Registration Before an aircraft can be flown legally, it must be registered with the FAA Aircraft Registry. The Certificate of Aircraft Registration, which is issued to the owner as evidence of the registration, must be carried in the aircraft at all times. [Figure 1] Figure 1. AC Form 8050-3, Certificate of Aircraft

Aircraft Documents Read Post »

Flight Manuals and Other Documents

Airplane Flight Manuals (AFM)

Aeronautical Knowledge, Flying Training

Flight manuals and operating handbooks are concise reference books that provide specific information about a particular aircraft or subject. They contain basic facts, information, and/or instructions for the pilot about the operation of an aircraft, flying techniques, etc., and are intended to be kept on hand for ready reference. The aircraft owner/information manual is a

Airplane Flight Manuals (AFM) Read Post »

Flight Manuals and Other Documents

Outside Air Temperature (OAT) Gauge – Flight Instruments

Aeronautical Knowledge, Flying Training

The outside air temperature (OAT) gauge is a simple and effective device mounted so that the sensing element is exposed to the outside air. The sensing element consists of a bimetallic-type thermometer in which two dissimilar materials are welded together in a single strip and twisted into a helix. One end is anchored into protective

Outside Air Temperature (OAT) Gauge – Flight Instruments Read Post »

Flight Instruments | Aeronautical Knowledge