FAA Flight Instructor Airplane (FIA)Performance, Weight and BalanceEasy
A pilot completing a weight and balance calculation adds 35 gallons of usable fuel to an airplane's tanks. Using the standard weight for aviation gasoline, what is the weight added by this fuel?
- A280 lb
- B245 lb
- C175 lb
- D210 lb
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. 210 lb
Standard weight for aviation gasoline is 6 lb/gal. 35 gal × 6 lb/gal = 210 lb.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Uses 8 lb/gal, which is close to jet fuel weight, not avgas.
- B. Uses 7 lb/gal, incorrect for avgas.
- C. Uses 5 lb/gal, which is not the standard fuel weight.
Standard Fuel Weight
Aviation gasoline (avgas) is standardized at 6 lb per gallon for weight and balance calculations, unless actual weight data is available.
- Avgas = 6 lb/gal
- Jet fuel ≈ 6.7-6.8 lb/gal (varies)
- Oil ≈ 7.5 lb/gal
- Actual fuel weight can vary slightly with temperature
Memory trick: 'Six for gas' — avgas weighs 6 lb per gallon.