Weight, Balance & Performance
Weight, Balance & Performance is a core knowledge area on the Aircraft Dispatcher FAA written exam. This hub collects our 7 in-depth, ACS-aligned weight, balance & performance articles — each written in plain English and grounded in the official FAA handbooks. Work through them below, then drill the topic with practice questions.
Weight and Balance Fundamentals for the Dispatcher: CG, MAC, and Index
Aircraft dispatchers must verify that every flight departs within approved weight and CG limits; this article explains center of gravity, mean aerodynamic chord, and loading indexes used in airline weight-and-balance control.
Maximum Allowable Takeoff Weight: Structural, Performance, and Runway Limits
Maximum allowable takeoff weight is governed by whichever of three independent limits—structural, performance, and runway—is most restrictive, and the dispatcher must verify all three before releasing a flight.
Runway-Limited Takeoff Weight and the Balanced Field Length Concept
Runway-limited takeoff weight is the maximum weight from which an aircraft can safely accelerate, experience an engine failure at V1, and either stop or continue the takeoff within the available runway length — a concept governed by balanced field length analysis under 14 CFR 121.189–197.
Landing Field Length Requirements Under 14 CFR 121.195 (Dry and Wet)
14 CFR 121.195 mandates that turbojet airplanes under Part 121 must be able to stop within 60% of the available landing distance on a dry runway—and a stricter factored distance on a wet runway—before dispatching to any destination or alternate.
Computing Takeoff Performance for Contaminated and Slush-Covered Runways
Contaminated and slush-covered runways dramatically reduce accelerate-stop and climb performance; dispatchers must apply approved AFM data, drag corrections, and regulatory limits before authorizing any departure.
Last-Minute Weight Changes and Load Message (LDM) Coordination
Last-minute weight changes require immediate dispatcher coordination through the Load Message (LDM) to verify the aircraft remains within certified weight and balance limits before departure.
Driftdown and Enroute Climb Performance Limits Under 14 CFR 121.191
Under 14 CFR 121.191, air carriers must plan enroute climbs and driftdown descents so the aircraft can safely clear terrain and obstacles after an engine failure, ensuring passengers are never placed above certificated performance limits.
More Aircraft Dispatcher subjects
Articles are original summaries grounded in the public-domain FAA handbooks and cite their source. ACS-aligned study aids — not a substitute for the official handbooks or regulations.