ATPL mass and balance 031: practice questions and syllabus

What the syllabus covers

The topics of the EASA syllabus for this subject, with what each one lists.

1. 031 01Purpose of mass-and-balance considerations

   mass limitations, centre of gravity limitations.

2. 031 02Loading

   terminology, mass limits, mass calculations.

3. 031 04Mass-and-balance details of aircraft

   contents of the documentation, determining empty mass and CG by weighing, extracting the basic mass data.

4. 031 05Determination of CG position

   methods, load and trim sheet, repositioning the CG.

5. 031 06Cargo handling

   types of cargo, floor-loading and running-load limits, securing the load.

Source: EASA, Easy Access Rules for Aircrew (AMC to Part-FCL)

The illustrated course

To understand before you answer: 11 chapters and 83 key points, 64 of them with a diagram or an illustration. The first chapter, « Aeroplane and Load Masses », is free to read.

1. Aeroplane and Load Masses
2. Maximum masses and limitations
3. Allowable take-off mass and available payload
4. Centre of gravity, arms and moments
5. Weighing the aircraft
6. Centre of gravity as a percentage of mean aerodynamic chord
7. Moving, adding or removing a mass
8. Effects of Centre of Gravity Position on Flight
9. Standard masses and fuel
10. Floor limits, unit load devices and load securing
11. Mass and balance documentation, index and load sheets

ATPL mass and balance course: contents and chapter 1

3 questions to practise

Taken from the site's English bank and checked one by one. Read the question, choose your answer, then open the explanation. Like every explanation on the site, they may contain errors.

1. Question 1 · 031 02 Loading

   Prior to departure an aeroplane is loaded with 16500 litres of fuel at a fuel density of 780 kg/m³. This is entered into the load sheet as 16500 kg and calculations are carried out accordingly. As a result of this error, the aeroplane is

   • Aheavier than anticipated and the calculated safety speeds will be too low.
   • Bheavier than anticipated and the calculated safety speeds will be too high
   • Clighter than anticipated and the calculated safety speeds will be too high
   • Dlighter than anticipated and the calculated safety speeds will be too low
   Show the answer+

   Answer: C. lighter than anticipated and the calculated safety speeds will be too high

   Actual fuel mass = 16,500 L × 0.780 = 12,870 kg, less than the 16,500 kg entered in error, so the aircraft is actually lighter than recorded — meaning the calculated (mass-based) safety speeds will be higher than actually required.

2. Question 2 · 031 05 Determination of CG position

   Three masses are loaded: 6750 kg at station 18m, 2500 kg at station 27m, 4500 kg at station 15m from datum. The combined CG is at:

   • A22.38 m
   • B20.0 m
   • C14.92 m
   • D18.65 m
   Show the answer+

   Answer: D. 18.65 m

   CG = total moment / total mass = (6750 × 18 + 2500 × 27 + 4500 × 15) / 13,750 = 256,500 / 13,750 ≈ 18.65 m from the datum.

3. Question 3 · 031 06 Cargo handling

   An aeroplane's maximum floor load is 725 kg/m. A cargo item of 500 kg must be spread over a minimum floor length of:

   • A0.69 m
   • B0.41 m
   • C0.97 m
   • D1.19 m
   Show the answer+

   Answer: A. 0.69 m

   Minimum floor length = mass / maximum running load = 500 / 725 ≈ 0.69 m.

8 more free questions, no sign-up: Free ATPL mass and balance questions

How to approach this subject

The calculation always follows the same pattern: mass × arm = moment, sum of moments ÷ total mass = CG position. Practise load shifts (1,600 kg moved from 16 m to 23 m moves the CG of a 36,000 kg aeroplane 0.31 m aft), standard masses and floor loading (limited to 4,000 N/m², it allows 100 kg on 0.25 m² with g = 10 m/s²).

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