Beechcraft Bonanza V35B - Weight and Balance Terminology

Beechcraft V35B Bonanza
Pilot Operating Handbook
- 8 -
WEIGHT AND BALANCE TERMINOLOGY
Reference
Datum
An imaginary vertical plane from which all horizontal distances are measured for balance
purposes.
Station A location along the airplane fuselage usually given in terms of distance from the reference
datum.
Arm The horizontal distance from the reference datum to the center of gravity (C.G.) of an item.
Moment The product of the weight of an item multiplied by its arm. (Moment divided by a constant is
used to simplify balance calculations by reducing the number of digits.)
Airplane
Center of
Gravity
(C. G.)
The point at which an airplane would balance if suspended. Its distance from the reference
datum is found by dividing the total moment by the total weight of the airplane.
C.G. Arm The arm obtained by adding the airplane’s individual moments and dividing the sum by the
total weight.
C.G.
Limits
The extreme center of gravity locations within which the airplane must be operated at a
given weight.
Usable
Fuel
Fuel available for flight planning.
Unusable
Fuel
Fuel remaining after a runout test has been completed in accordance with governmental
regulations.
Standard
Empty
Weight
Weight of a standard airplane including unusable fuel, full operating flu ids and full oil.
Basic
Empty
Weight
Standard empty weight plus optional equipment.
Payload Weight of occupants, cargo and baggage.
Useful
Load
Difference between take off weight, or ramp weight if applicable, and basic empty weight.
Maximum
Ramp
Weight
Maximum weight approved for ground maneuvering. (It includes weight of start, taxi, and
run up fuel).
Maximum
Take-off
Weight
Maximum weight approved for the start of the take off run.