Weight and Balance
Weight and Balance is a core knowledge area on the AMT — General FAA written exam. This hub collects our 16 in-depth, ACS-aligned weight and balance articles — each written in plain English and grounded in the official FAA handbooks. Work through them below, then drill the topic with practice questions.
Aircraft Weight and Balance Terminology (Empty Weight, CG, Datum, Arm, Moment)
Master the five core weight-and-balance terms—empty weight, CG, datum, arm, and moment—that every AMT must know to legally load and maintain aircraft and pass the FAA General knowledge test.
Calculating Moment and Center of Gravity for Aircraft
Learn how to calculate moment and center of gravity (CG) step by step, including the arm-moment-weight relationship, datum reference, and how CG shifts with loading changes — critical knowledge for both the AMT General exam and safe flight operations.
Basic Weight and Balance Equations for AMT Calculations
AMT candidates must master the fundamental weight and balance equations—weight, arm, moment, and CG calculations—to ensure aircraft are loaded safely and legally before every flight.
Types of Aircraft Weight: Empty, Gross, Zero Fuel, and Maximum Weights
Understanding empty, gross, zero fuel, and maximum aircraft weights is essential for safe loading and legal operation — these defined weight limits protect structural integrity and ensure controllable flight.
CG Envelope and Limits: Forward and Aft CG Boundaries
The CG envelope defines the forward and aft limits within which an aircraft must be loaded to remain controllable and structurally safe; exceeding either boundary can be immediately dangerous.
Using Weight and Balance Loading Charts and Graphs
Weight and balance loading charts and graphs let aircraft technicians and pilots quickly verify that an aircraft's loaded CG falls within approved limits, turning complex moment calculations into straightforward graphical lookups.
Effects of CG Position on Aircraft Stability and Control
Center of gravity position directly affects an aircraft's longitudinal stability, control effectiveness, and structural load limits — understanding CG is essential for safe, efficient flight.
Performing an Aircraft Weighing Procedure: Equipment and Setup
Aircraft weighing requires calibrated scales, proper equipment setup, and precise leveling to produce accurate weight and balance data that is legally required for airworthiness.
Computing Ballast Requirements to Correct Out-of-Limits CG
Learn how aviation maintenance technicians calculate ballast weight and placement to bring an aircraft's center of gravity back within certified limits, using moment arm math and FAA-approved procedures.
Leveling the Aircraft for Accurate Weight and Balance Measurement
Properly leveling an aircraft before weight and balance measurement ensures accurate load calculations; even small tilt angles can introduce significant errors in moment arms and center of gravity location.
Weight and Balance Effects of Repair, Alteration, and Equipment Changes
Every repair, alteration, or equipment change affects an aircraft's weight and balance; AMTs must calculate and document these shifts to keep the airplane within its certified envelope.
Adverse Loading CG Check Procedures
The adverse loading CG check confirms an aircraft's center of gravity stays within certified limits under the most extreme realistic loading conditions, a critical step in every weight and balance analysis.
Weight and Balance Record-Keeping and Documentation Requirements
Accurate weight and balance record-keeping is a legal and safety requirement for aircraft; AMTs must know what documents are required, how to update them, and where they must be kept.
Weight and Balance Considerations for Helicopters and Multiengine Aircraft
Helicopter and multiengine aircraft weight and balance calculations involve unique moment arms, loading envelopes, and lateral/longitudinal CG limits that directly affect flight safety and controllability.
Jacking Points, Scales, and Tare Weight Considerations During Weighing
Aircraft weighing requires precise use of approved jacking points, calibrated scales, and careful tare weight deductions to ensure accurate empty weight and CG calculations for safe flight.
Locating the Datum Reference Plane in Aircraft Design
The datum is an imaginary vertical reference plane used to calculate arm distances for weight and balance; its location is set by the manufacturer and must be understood to correctly compute moments and CG.
More AMT — General 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.