FAA Aviation Mechanic General (AMG)Aircraft Drawings, Weight and BalanceMedium
A mechanic is weighing an aircraft on portable platform scales and places small wooden chocks under each wheel to keep it from rolling. The chocks weigh 2 lb each and rest on the scale platforms. How should the chock weight be handled when computing the aircraft's net weight?
- AIgnored because it is too small to matter
- BSubtracted from the scale reading as tare weight
- CAdded to the scale reading as part of the aircraft weight
- DDivided equally among the number of scales used
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Subtracted from the scale reading as tare weight
Any item on the scale that is not part of the aircraft, such as chocks, jacks pads, or leveling blocks, is called tare weight and must be subtracted from the gross scale reading to obtain the true aircraft weight. Ignoring or adding tare weight would produce an inaccurate weight and balance report.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Even small tare weights must be accounted for to ensure accuracy required by weight and balance regulations.
- C. Adding it would overstate the aircraft's actual weight, since the chocks are not part of the aircraft.
- D. Tare weight is subtracted at the specific scale where it is located, not divided among all scales.
Tare Weight
The weight of chocks, blocks, or other items placed on a scale during aircraft weighing that are not part of the aircraft; it must be subtracted from the scale reading.
- Applies to chocks, jack pads, shims on scales
- Subtracted from gross scale reading
- Necessary for accurate net aircraft weight
Memory trick: Tare = 'take away' the extra stuff on the scale.