What is the minimum weight of ballast needed at +162 inches to bring the CG of an aircraft into the specified range?

To determine the minimum weight of ballast needed at a specific location to adjust the center of gravity (CG) of an aircraft into the desired range, it is crucial to understand the principles of balance and weight distribution.

The correct choice, which indicates 57.16 pounds, demonstrates how to calculate the amount of ballast needed at the designated moment arm, in this case, +162 inches. The concept relies on the formulas involving moments and weight, where the moment is the product of weight and its distance from a reference point.

When calculating the necessary ballast, the process usually involves determining the current CG position, the desired CG position, and the moment arms of both the existing aircraft weight distribution and the ballast to be added. The exact amount needed is derived from these factors to ensure the new CG falls within the acceptable range for safe flight operations.

Choosing the appropriate amount of ballast is critical because insufficient or excessive ballast can lead to handling difficulties, performance issues, or regulatory non-compliance. Thus, arriving at 57.16 pounds signifies an accurate, calculated adjustment required to achieve the aircraft’s weight distribution goals while ensuring safety and compliance with regulations.

Each of the other weight options might represent calculations that did not account accurately for the required moment adjustments or misinterpreted