Is weight and balance on the FAA Private Pilot knowledge test?

Yes.

Weight and balance is part of ACS Task PA.I.F, Performance and Limitations, in Area of Operation I, Preflight Preparation.

The ACS states that "Knowledge and risk management elements are primarily evaluated during the knowledge testing phase of the airman certification process." It does not publish how many questions each topic gets, so this page lists the tasks and elements that cover the topic instead.

In plain words

Weight and balance asks two things: how much the airplane weighs as loaded, and where that weight sits, which sets the center of gravity (CG). The ACS lists both loading (with CG as its example) and weight and balance among the factors affecting performance, in PA.I.F.K2e and PA.I.F.K2f.

The matching skill, PA.I.F.S1, is to compute the weight and balance, fix a loading that puts the CG out of limits, and confirm it stays within limits during all phases of flight. Risk element PA.I.F.R2 adds airplane limitations, the limits a loading has to be checked against.

What the FAA says you must know

Area of Operation I, Task F. Performance and Limitations (PA.I.F)

Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with operating an airplane safely within the parameters of its performance capabilities and limitations.

Knowledge: the applicant demonstrates understanding of:

PA.I.F.K2 Factors affecting performance, including:
PA.I.F.K2e Loading [e.g., center of gravity (CG)]
PA.I.F.K2f Weight and balance

Risk management: the applicant is able to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with:

PA.I.F.R2 Airplane limitations.

Skills: the applicant exhibits the skill to:

PA.I.F.S1 Compute the weight and balance, correct out-of-CG loading errors and determine if the weight and balance remains within limits during all phases of flight.

Source: FAA, Private Pilot for Airplane Category Airman Certification Standards (FAA-S-ACS-6C, November 2023), quoted as published; the page lists the elements that cover this topic, not every element of each task. Skill elements are tested on the practical test, where the ACS says the evaluator must test each one by observing the applicant perform it.

Original practice questions

Written by Capxule from the ACS text quoted above. These are not FAA questions.

1. In the Private Pilot ACS, which example is given for loading as a factor affecting performance?
- A. Center of gravity (CG)
- B. Runway length
- C. Pilot technique
Show the answer
A. Center of gravity (CG)
PA.I.F.K2e reads "Loading [e.g., center of gravity (CG)]". Pilot technique is listed as a separate factor in the same element, PA.I.F.K2.
2. According to PA.I.F.S1, when must the weight and balance remain within limits?
- A. Only at takeoff
- B. During all phases of flight
- C. Only at landing
Show the answer
B. During all phases of flight
PA.I.F.S1 asks the applicant to determine if the weight and balance remains within limits during all phases of flight.
3. Which ACS task holds the weight and balance elements?
- A. PA.I.C, Weather Information
- B. PA.I.F, Performance and Limitations
- C. PA.I.H, Human Factors
Show the answer
B. PA.I.F, Performance and Limitations
Weight and balance is listed in PA.I.F.K2f, inside Task F, Performance and Limitations.

Practise for the FAA Private Pilot knowledge test

Original practice questions written from current FAA sources, with mock tests that follow the published test format.

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