FAA Private Pilot Test Prep

Correct answer: C. Drain 9 gallons. Fuel prices are too expensive to have to do this so make your calculation beforehand. First on Figure 34 find the max gross weight of the aircraft which is 2950. Now add the passengers and the weight of the plane to calculate your wiggle room. 2015 (Empty weight) + 425 (Front seat occupants) + 300 (Rear seat occupants) this equals 2740 pounds. Subtract 2740 from the 2950 (max gross weight) this indicates that to reach max weight the plane can add 210 pounds of fuel. Looking at the charts this equals 35 gallons of fuel, or 9 gallons less than max fuel. Finally add up all of the moment arms to ensure that the plane is still within limits. This is 1554 (empty weight of the plane) + 361 (front seat passengers) + 363 (rear seat passengers) equals 2278. Now add the moment for the fuel at 158 which equals 2236 right within the limits.