Objective: To further develop the pilot’s ability to determine airplane performance, including weight and balance. Additionally, the pilot will learn the significance and effects of exceeding the airplane’s performance limitations.

Text References: Pilot Handbook, Study Unit 5, “Airplane Performance and Weight and Balance” (30 pages) Commercial Pilot FAA Knowledge Test, Study Unit 5, “Airplane Performance and Weight and Balance” (46 pages)

Content

Study Unit 5 Contents Page(s)

5.1 Determinants of Airplane Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297-299

5.2 Standard Atmosphere . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299-300

5.3 Pressure Altitude . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300

5.4 Density Altitude . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301-303

5.5 Takeoff Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304-306

5.6 Climb Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306-309

5.7 Cruise and Range Performance . . . . . . .309-310

5.8 Glide Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310-311

5.9 Crosswind Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . .311-312

5.10 Landing Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .312-315

5.11 Weight and Balance Overview . . . . . . . . 315-317

5.12 Weight and Balance Terms . . . . . . . . . . 317-318

5.13 Basic Principles of Weight and Balance . . . . . . . . .

5.14 Methods of Determining Weight and Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319

5.15 Center of Gravity Calculations . . . . . . . . 320

5.16 Center of Gravity Charts . . . . . . . . . . . . 320-322

5.17 Center of Gravity Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . 323-325

5.18 Weight Change and Weight Shift Computations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326

Commercial Pilot FAA Knowledge Test No. of Study Unit 5 Contents Questions

5.1 Density Altitude . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

5.2 Density Altitude Computations . . . . . . . . . 4

5.3 Takeoff Distance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

5.4 Time, Fuel, and Distance to Climb . . . . . . 10

5.5 Maximum Rate of Climb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

5.6 Cruise and Range Performance . . . . . . . . 15

5.7 Crosswind/Headwind Component . . . . . . 4

5.8 Landing Distance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

5.9 Weight and Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

5.10 Weight and Moment Computations . . . . . 8

5.11 Weight Change and Weight Shift Computations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Completion Standards

The lesson will have been successfully completed when the pilot answers the questions in Study Unit 5, “Airplane Performance and Weight and Balance,” of Commercial Pilot FAA Knowledge Test, FAA Test Prep Software, and/or Online Ground School with a minimum passing grade of 80%.