Free ATPL mass and balance 031 questions: 8 with answers
8 mass and balance questions from the ATPL bank of ForAllPilots, with no account and no sign-up. Answer in your head, then open the answer: the right letter and its explanation are under each question. The full bank has 619 questions for this subject.
The 8 questions
Question 1 · 031 01 Purpose of mass-and-balance considerations
The weight of an aeroplane, which is in level non accelerated flight, is said to act
- Avertically through the centre of gravity.
- Bvertically through the centre of pressure.
- Cvertically through the datum point.
- Dalways along the vertical axis of the aeroplane.
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Answer: A. vertically through the centre of gravity.
In steady, non-accelerated level flight, weight acts vertically downward through the centre of gravity.
Question 2 · 031 02 Loading
Standard masses may be used for the computation of mass values for baggage if the aeroplane
- Ahas 30 or more seats.
- Bis carrying 30 or more passengers.
- Chas 6 or more seats.
- Dhas 20 or more seats.
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Answer: D. has 20 or more seats.
Under CAT.POL.MAB.100, standard masses for checked baggage may be used when the aeroplane has 20 or more passenger seats.
Question 3 · 031 02 Loading
The standard mass for a child is
- A35 kg for holiday charters and 38 kg for all other flights.
- B30 kg for holiday charters and 35 kg for all other flights.
- C38 kg for all flights.
- D35 kg for all flights.
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Answer: D. 35 kg for all flights.
Under CAT.POL.MAB.100 (standard masses for passengers), a child aged 2 to under 12 is counted at 35 kg, on holiday charters and on all other flights alike.
Question 4 · 031 02 Loading
An aeroplane is to depart from an airfield at a take-off mass of 302550 kg. Fuel on board at take-off (including contingency and alternate of 19450 kg) is 121450 kg. The Dry Operating Mass is 161450 kg. The useful load will be
- A141100 kg
- B121450 kg
- C19650 kg
- D39105 kg
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Answer: A. 141100 kg
Useful load = TOM − DOM = 302,550 − 161,450 = 141,100 kg.
Question 5 · 031 02 Loading
Given: DOM=24,500 kg, Payload=6,200 kg, Take-off fuel=19,800 kg. Calculate the Take-off Mass.
- A49,700 kg
- B24,500 kg
- C30,700 kg
- D50,500 kg
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Answer: D. 50,500 kg
Take-off mass = dry operating mass + payload + take-off fuel = 24,500 + 6,200 + 19,800 = 50,500 kg.
Question 6 · 031 05 Determination of CG position
Two masses are loaded on an aeroplane: 3000 kg at station 25 m, and 8500 kg at station 23 m from the datum. The combined centre of gravity position is:
- A23.52 m
- B27.05 m
- C19.99 m
- D24.0 m
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Answer: A. 23.52 m
CG = (3000 × 25 + 8500 × 23) / (3000 + 8500) = 270,500 / 11,500 ≈ 23.52 m from the datum.
Question 7 · 031 05 Determination of CG position
If 250 kg of cargo is moved 7 m forward on an aeroplane with a total mass of 25000 kg, the CG shift is:
- A0.07 m forward
- B0.098 m forward
- C0.042 m forward
- D0.12 m aft
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Answer: A. 0.07 m forward
CG shift = mass moved × distance moved / total mass = 250 × 7 / 25,000 = 0.07 m, in the direction the mass is moved (forward).
Question 8 · 031 05 Determination of CG position
The centre of gravity of an aeroplane is at 25% of the Mean Aerodynamic Chord.This means that the centre of gravity of the aeroplane is situated at 25% of the length of:
- Athe aeroplane in relation to the leading edge
- Bthe mean aerodynamic chord in relation to the datum
- Cthe mean aerodynamic chord in relation to the trailing edge
- Dthe mean aerodynamic chord in relation to the leading edge
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Answer: D. the mean aerodynamic chord in relation to the leading edge
CG at 25% MAC means the CG is located 25% of the way along the mean aerodynamic chord, measured from its leading edge.
Each answer was checked again before publication; like every explanation on the site, these may contain errors. Some explanations were rewritten for this page, sometimes with the help of an AI. Spotted a mistake? Write to us at contact@forallpilots.com.
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