LECTURE 4 BALANCE, STABILITY AND CENTRE OF GRAVITY MASS AND BALANCE LECTURE 4 BALANCE, STABILITY AND CENTRE OF GRAVITY

INTRODUCTION : RELATIONSHIP STABILITY BALANCE WEIGHT CENTRE OF GRAVITY

INTRODUCTION As weight change, it affect the aircraft stability and balance. Stability is the condition of being stable. Balance refer to the location of centre of gravity (CG). If we can’t guarantee the aircraft stability and balance, we’ll have trouble to operate the aircraft.

THEORY OF LEVER To balance the lever, the weight must be distributed so that the turning effect is the same on one side of the fulcrum.

Important for Aircraft Stability Ensure Flight safety Balance 4H 1W CREATION What is CG? How important CG is? Where is CG location? When aircraft CG move away? Who can control CG? Refer to CG

WHAT IS CG? The center of gravity is a point at which an airplane would balance if it were suspended at that point.

How to Balance Aircraft?

CG Location Longitudinal (From A/c side view) Lateral (From A/c front view) Figure: Aircraft Axis

CG Location The prime concern of airplane balancing is the fore and aft location of the CG along the longitudinal axis. Where is Fore? Where is aft? Draw on note!

CG Location Location of the CG with reference to the lateral axis is also important. Center of gravity

CG Location Shifted Lateral balance is relatively easy to control and longitudinal balance is more critical. The center of gravity is not necessarily a fixed point. Location depends on the distribution of weight. As variable load items are shifted or expended, there is a resultant shift in CG location.

INDIVIDUAL TASK : CLASS EXAMPLE As we move, CG also move. Still remember what is CG? How can you relate with aircraft situation? INDIVIDUAL TASK : CLASS IN 5 MINUTES, I WANT EACH OF YOU TO GIVE EXAMPLE OF CG WHICH CAN BE RELATED WITH AIRCRAFT SITIUATION / CONDITION.

What are the variables that can affect weight and CG? Luggage Instrument Fuel Passenger & Crew Affect Lateral CG Affect Longitudinal CG

CG Importance As the results, CG location shifted (move). Thus, thus the A/C have will pitch up. Can cause the A/C stall.

CG Importance This cause the A/c lose lateral balance. One side of the wing is much more heavy. This cause difficulties for pilot to control. This unbalance create aircraft instability

Continue. . . The pilot should realize that if the CG of an airplane is displaced too far forward on the longitudinal axis, a nose-heavy condition will result. Conversely, if the CG is displaced too far aft on the longitudinal axis, a tail-heavy condition will result. It is possible that an unfavorable location of the CG could produce such an unstable condition that the pilot could not control the airplane.

Forward Center of Gravity Nose become Heavy – Problems controlling and raising the nose – Inability to flare for landing Acts as more weight – More stable ( base on basic principle. The more the weight, the more stable an object) – Decreased Performance Higher stall speeds

Aft Center of Gravity Tail become Heavy – Light control forces – Easy to over-control and overstress Reduced capability to recover from stalls and spins – Can not lower nose – Flat spin: nearly impossible to recover Decreased stability – Difficult to right itself after maneuvering/turbulence

WHO CAN CONTROL CG? GROUND TECHNICIAN PILOT Calculate Luggage loading Ensure Luggage weight Calculate Luggage loading Monitor fuel weight Ensure Luggage weight Communicate with Pilot

Terminology & Definition

Terminology & Definition Datum Imaginary vertical plane or line from which all measurements of arm are taken. Established by manufacturer. Everything (moment arms, CG range) measured from this point. Arm The distance from the datum to any component part of the airplane, or any object loaded on the airplane. (+) denotes aft of datum, (-) denotes forward of datum

Terminology & Definition Station Location in the airplane identified by a number designating its distance in inches from the datum. Moment Product of the weight of an item multiplied by its arm. Moment = Weight (Load) x Arm Distance

Exercise 1 : Calculate Moments

Exercise 2 : Calculate Moments

Exercise 3 : Calculate moments After receiving your Private Pilot Certificate, you decide to take your family on sight-seeing flight around Grand Forks. If your mom weighs 150 lbs and sits it the co-pilot seat, your dad is 200 lbs, your sister is 115lbs and you weigh 130 lbs: How much fuel can you bring? Calculate moments. Given: MZFW = 800lbs MTOW = 775lbs MLW = 1090 lbs