FAA Flight Instructor Airplane (FIA)Performance, Weight and BalanceHard
A high-wing airplane carries most of its fuel in tanks located forward of the airplane's empty-weight CG. During a long cross-country flight as fuel is consumed, the airplane's CG will most likely
- Amove forward, increasing longitudinal stability throughout the flight
- Bremain essentially fixed because fuel burn is distributed symmetrically
- Cmove aft only if the airplane also carries aft baggage compartment loading
- Dmove aft, potentially approaching or exceeding the aft CG limit
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. move aft, potentially approaching or exceeding the aft CG limit
Removing weight (fuel) from a location forward of the CG shifts the remaining weight's balance point aft; pilots must verify that the CG stays within limits throughout the flight, not just at takeoff.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Removing forward weight moves CG aft, not forward.
- B. Fuel burn location relative to CG, not symmetry, determines the shift.
- C. The aft baggage load is a separate factor; fuel burn alone can shift CG aft regardless of baggage.
CG Shift During Fuel Burn
As fuel is consumed from tanks located forward of the CG, the airplane's CG shifts aft during flight, requiring in-flight CG limit verification for long flights.
- Removing weight forward of CG shifts CG aft
- Removing weight aft of CG shifts CG forward
- Pilots must check CG at both takeoff and landing weights
Memory trick: Burn in Front, Balance drifts Back