Remote Pilot – Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems › IV. Loading and Performance › Task A. Loading and Performance

UA.IV.A.K1b

Knowledge

General loading and performance, including:

Balance, stability, and center of gravity

Study note

Get a short, cited explanation of this element written from the FAA handbooks: the core idea, the numbers that matter, common test traps, and a quick self-check.

From the FAA library

Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge p. 10-2
Chapter 10: Weight and Balance › Balance, Stability, and Center of Gravity
Balance, Stability, and Center of Gravity 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 ... resultant shift in CG location. The distance between the forward and back limits for the position of the center for gravity or CG range is certified for an aircraft by the manufacturer. The pilot should realize that…
Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge p. 10-3
Chapter 10: Weight and Balance › Balance, Stability, and Center of Gravity › Stability
affected by improper balance. Stability Loading in a nose-heavy condition causes problems in controlling and raising the nose, especially during takeoff and landing. Loading in a tail heavy condition has a serious effect upon longitudinal stability, and reduces ... control forces, another undesirable characteristic. This makes it easy for the pilot to inadvertently overstress an aircraft. Stability and Center of Gravity Limits for the location of the CG are established by the manufacturer. These are the fore…
Small Unmanned Aircraft System (Small UAS)p. B-1
Appendix B. SUPPLEMENTAL OPERATIONAL INFORMATION › B.2 Small Unmanned Aircraft Loading and Its Effects on Performance › B.2.1 Weight and Balance (W&B)
change during flight may occur when expendable items are used on board (e.g., a jettisonable load). B.2.2 Balance, Stability, and Center of Gravity (CG). Adverse balance conditions (i.e., weight distribution) may affect flight characteristics in much the same manner…
Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge p. 10-3
Chapter 10: Weight and Balance › Balance, Stability, and Center of Gravity › Control
Control In extreme cases, a CG location that is beyond the forward…
Small Unmanned Aircraft System (Small UAS)p. A-9
Appendix B. SUPPLEMENTAL OPERATIONAL INFORMATION › B.1 Determining Operational Performance
operation can begin. B.2.1.2 Weight changes during flight also have a direct effect on aircraft performance B.2.2 Balance, Stability, and Center of Gravity (CG) Appendix B. SUPPLEMENTAL OPERATIONAL INFORMATION B.1 Determining Operational Performance. The manufacturer may provide operational and performance…