100+ Free EASA 031 Mass & Balance Practice Questions
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Key Facts: EASA 031 Mass & Balance Exam
25 questions
Exam length
EASA ATPL 031 syllabus
1 h 15 min
Time allowance
EASA ATPL 031 syllabus
75%
Pass mark (no negative marking)
EASA ATPL theory rules
88 / 70 / 84 / 35 kg
Standard masses (male/female/adult/child, 20+ seats)
EASA Air Operations standard masses
13 subjects
Total ATPL(A) theory exams
EASA FCL.025
18 months
Window to pass all subjects
EASA FCL.025
ECQB 2026
Current question-bank release
EASA Central Question Bank
EASA ATPL subject 031 Mass and Balance is a 25-question, 1 hour 15 minute computer-based exam with a 75% pass mark and no negative marking, drawn from the European Central Question Bank (ECQB 2026). Candidates must master mass definitions (basic empty mass, dry operating mass, operating mass, traffic and useful load, MTOM, MLM, MZFM and ramp mass) and EASA standard masses (male 88 kg, female 70 kg, all-adult 84 kg, child 35 kg, with standard checked-baggage values). The core is calculation: CG = total moment / total mass, percent MAC from LEMAC, mass addition/removal and load-shift formulas, and fuel-burn CG movement. You must read load and trim sheets using the index method and dry operating index, apply floor-loading (kg/m2 and kg/m) limits, and understand how forward and aft CG limits affect stall speed, trim drag, stability and control authority. It is one of 13 ATPL subjects; all passes must be achieved within 18 months across a maximum of 6 sittings.
Sample EASA 031 Mass & Balance Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your EASA 031 Mass & Balance exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1On a mass and balance load sheet, which mass is defined as the total mass of the aeroplane ready for a specific type of operation, EXCLUDING all usable fuel and traffic load?
2Traffic load is correctly calculated as:
3An aeroplane has a dry operating mass of 34,500 kg and a maximum zero fuel mass of 51,000 kg. What is the maximum traffic load that can be carried, ignoring any take-off or landing mass limit?
4Which structural mass limit is primarily intended to protect the wing root bending moment by limiting the mass concentrated in the fuselage when the wings are unsupported by fuel?
5The maximum ramp (taxi) mass of an aeroplane is normally:
6An operator carrying 25 passengers on a passenger seat configuration of 20 or more seats uses EASA standard masses by gender. What standard mass (including hand baggage) is applied to each adult male?
7Using EASA standard masses for an aeroplane with 30 or more passenger seats, an operator elects the 'all adult' value. What mass is used for each adult passenger including hand baggage?
8Under EASA standard masses, what mass is used for a child (2 to under 12 years) occupying a passenger seat?
9On a flight with 80 passengers (20 or more seats) using EASA standard masses, the load shows 50 males and 30 females. What is the total standard passenger mass?
10An operator uses EASA standard checked-baggage masses on a configuration of 20 or more seats. For an intercontinental flight, what standard mass is applied per item of checked baggage?
About the EASA 031 Mass & Balance Exam
Mass and Balance (subject 031) is one of the 13 EASA ATPL(A) theoretical-knowledge examinations. It tests a candidate's ability to determine an aeroplane's mass and centre of gravity and to confirm both remain within certified structural and CG limits for every phase of flight. The exam comprises 25 multiple-choice questions in 1 hour 15 minutes, with a 75% pass mark and no negative marking, drawn from the European Central Question Bank (current ECQB 2026 release). Questions cover mass definitions, EASA standard masses, fuel mass conversions, centre-of-gravity and percent-MAC calculations, load and trim sheets, and the operational consequences of out-of-limit loading.
Questions
25 scored questions
Time Limit
1 hour 15 minutes
Passing Score
75% (at least 19 of 25 correct)
Exam Fee
Varies by national authority, approximately EUR 60-130 per subject sitting (EASA national aviation authorities (computer-based testing, commonly LPLUS TestStudio))
EASA 031 Mass & Balance Exam Content Outline
Mass Definitions and Limits
Basic empty mass, dry operating mass, operating mass, traffic load and useful load, the structural limits MTOM, MLM and MZFM (wing-bending relief), maximum ramp/taxi mass, and the difference between regulated and performance-limited take-off masses
Mass Determination
EASA standard masses (male 88 kg, female 70 kg, all-adult 84 kg, child 35 kg, hand baggage included), standard checked-baggage masses (11/13/15 kg), fuel mass from volume and density, weighing procedures, and 4-year/9-year re-weighing and fleet-mass rules
Centre of Gravity Calculations
Datum, arm and moment; CG = total moment / total mass; percent MAC from LEMAC and MAC length; mass-addition and mass-removal calculations; the load-shift formula (mass moved x distance / total mass); and CG movement from fuel burn
CG Limits and Consequences
Forward and aft CG limits and the CG envelope; effect of forward CG on stall speed, trim drag and rotation/flare authority; effect of aft CG on stability and stick force; checking take-off, zero-fuel and landing CG
Loading
Floor area loading limits (kg/m2) and running/linear load limits (kg/m), special and dangerous-goods loads and their stowage/segregation constraints, lateral fuel imbalance, and last-minute changes within published limits
Load and Trim Sheets
The index method and dry operating index, the fuel index correction, the trim-sheet build-up sequence to the take-off index, plotting against the envelope, and the load-sheet documentation EASA requires for each flight
How to Pass the EASA 031 Mass & Balance Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: 75% (at least 19 of 25 correct)
- Exam length: 25 questions
- Time limit: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Exam fee: Varies by national authority, approximately EUR 60-130 per subject sitting
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
EASA 031 Mass & Balance Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions are on the EASA 031 Mass and Balance exam and how long is it?
Subject 031 has 25 multiple-choice questions and a time allowance of 1 hour 15 minutes. The pass mark is 75%, meaning at least 19 correct answers, and there is no negative marking. Questions are drawn from the European Central Question Bank (current ECQB 2026 release).
What EASA standard masses are used for passengers and baggage?
For aeroplanes with 20 or more seats EASA standard masses (including hand baggage) are 88 kg male, 70 kg female, 84 kg all-adult and 35 kg per child aged 2 to under 12. Standard checked-baggage masses are 11 kg domestic, 13 kg within the European region and 15 kg intercontinental.
How do you calculate the centre of gravity?
The CG is the total moment divided by the total mass, where each item's moment is its mass times its arm from the reference datum. To express it as a percentage of MAC, subtract the leading-edge-of-MAC arm and divide by the MAC length, then multiply by 100.
What is the difference between MTOM, MZFM and MLM?
MTOM is the maximum structural take-off mass; MLM is the maximum landing mass protecting the gear and structure; MZFM is the maximum mass with no usable fuel, which limits fuselage load when the wings lack relieving fuel and so protects against wing-root bending.
Why does the exam emphasise the load-shift formula?
Many 031 questions require moving, adding or removing mass to keep the CG in limits. The shift is mass moved times distance moved divided by total aircraft mass, and the CG moves in the same direction as added or shifted mass and away from removed mass.
How does CG position affect the aeroplane?
A forward CG raises the stall speed and trim drag and reduces nose-up authority for rotation and flare. An aft CG lowers the stall speed and trim drag but reduces longitudinal stability; beyond the aft limit the aeroplane can become uncontrollable in pitch.
How does 031 fit into the EASA ATPL theory exams?
It is one of 13 ATPL(A) theoretical-knowledge subjects. Candidates have up to 4 attempts per subject and 6 sittings, and must pass all subjects within 18 months. Theory passes are valid for 7 years toward ATPL issue from the validity of the instrument rating.