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Sample SACAA ATPL Mass & Balance Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the SACAA ATPL Mass & Balance exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which of the following best defines Basic Empty Mass (BEM) of a transport category aeroplane?
A.The mass of the aeroplane including usable fuel, payload, and operating crew.
B.The structure mass including integral equipment, unusable fuel, and full engine oil and hydraulic fluids.
C.The Dry Operating Mass plus unusable fuel and removable cabin catering supplies.
D.The total structural mass of the airframe excluding engine oil and hydraulic fluids.
Explanation: Basic Empty Mass (BEM) is the mass of the aeroplane structure, powerplants, installed equipment, unusable fuel, plus full engine oil and operating fluids (hydraulic fluid, system fluids). It excludes variable load items such as crew, passenger catering, usable fuel, and payload.
2Dry Operating Mass (DOM) is calculated as:
A.Basic Empty Mass plus Variable Load (crew, baggage, catering, and removable operational equipment).
B.Basic Empty Mass plus total usable fuel and traffic load.
C.Zero Fuel Mass minus Useful Load.
D.Take-off Mass minus usable fuel and passengers only.
Explanation: Dry Operating Mass (DOM) is the total mass of the aircraft prepared for a specific type of operation, excluding all usable fuel and traffic load. It consists of the Basic Empty Mass (BEM) plus the Variable Load (flight and cabin crew, crew baggage, catering, water, toilet chemicals, and operational items).
3What is the structural significance of Maximum Zero Fuel Mass (MZFM)?
A.It limits the maximum allowable landing mass on dry paved runways.
B.It protects the wing root structures from excessive bending moments during flight.
C.It specifies the maximum combined mass of fuel and payload permitted for take-off.
D.It is the maximum mass at which an engine-out climb can be demonstrated.
Explanation: Maximum Zero Fuel Mass (MZFM) is a structural limit designed to prevent excessive wing-root bending stress. Fuel carried in the wings provides relief to wing root bending moments during flight; payload in the fuselage does not. Restricting the non-fuel mass in the fuselage ensures structural integrity.
4Traffic Load is defined as the total mass of:
A.Passengers, baggage, cargo, and usable fuel.
B.Passengers, baggage, and cargo (including mail).
C.Crew, catering, passengers, and cargo.
D.Useful load minus flight crew and cabin crew.
Explanation: Traffic Load is the total mass of revenue and non-revenue passengers, baggage, cargo, and mail carried on board for a flight. It excludes usable fuel and operating crew/equipment.
5What is the relationship between Useful Load and Traffic Load?
A.Useful Load equals Traffic Load minus unusable fuel.
B.Useful Load equals Traffic Load plus total usable fuel load.
C.Traffic Load equals Useful Load plus Dry Operating Mass.
D.Useful Load equals Basic Empty Mass minus Traffic Load.
Explanation: Useful Load is the total load that can be added to the Basic Empty Mass (or DOM depending on convention) comprising Traffic Load plus usable fuel load. Therefore, Useful Load = Traffic Load + Usable Fuel.
6Under SACAA / ICAO standard passenger mass tables for commercial air transport (20+ seats), what is the standard mass for an adult male passenger (including hand baggage) on a non-charter flight?
A.75 kg
B.84 kg
C.88 kg
D.95 kg
Explanation: Under standard CATS / ICAO passenger mass tables for aeroplanes with 20 or more seats, the standard mass for an adult male (all seasons) is 84 kg including hand baggage (or 88 kg in all-male seating configurations).
7Maximum Ramp Mass (MRM) exceeds Maximum Take-off Mass (MTOM) by the mass of:
A.Contingency fuel.
B.Taxi and run-up fuel.
C.Unusable fuel and oil.
D.Final reserve fuel.
Explanation: Maximum Ramp Mass (also called Maximum Taxi Mass) is the maximum structural mass authorised for taxiing on the ground. MRM = MTOM + Taxi Fuel, allowing engine start, taxi, and APU fuel burn before line-up.
8An airliner has a Dry Operating Mass (DOM) of 45,500 kg. Standard crew allowance is included in DOM. Traffic load is 16,200 kg. Total fuel loaded at start of taxi is 14,000 kg. Taxi fuel is 300 kg. What is the Take-off Mass (TOM)?
A.75,700 kg
B.75,400 kg
C.61,700 kg
D.76,000 kg
Explanation: Ramp Mass = DOM + Traffic Load + Total Fuel = 45,500 + 16,200 + 14,000 = 75,700 kg. Take-off Mass (TOM) = Ramp Mass - Taxi Fuel = 75,700 - 300 = 75,400 kg.
9In mass and balance calculations, unusable fuel is classified as part of:
A.Trip fuel load.
B.Variable load.
C.Basic Empty Mass (BEM).
D.Traffic load.
Explanation: Unusable fuel (fuel remaining in lines, pumps, and sump bottoms that cannot be consumed in flight) is permanently accounted for in the Basic Empty Mass (BEM).
10Which of the following items is included in the Variable Load of a commercial transport aircraft?
A.Passenger checked baggage in hold 2.
B.Flight crew baggage and catering containers.
C.Wing tank contingency fuel.
D.Installed weather radar antenna.
Explanation: Variable Load includes items that vary from flight to flight but \are required for operation: flight/cabin crew and their baggage, catering supplies, portable water, toilet chemicals, and removable equipment. Adding Variable Load to BEM gives DOM.

About the SACAA ATPL Mass & Balance Exam

The SACAA ATPL Mass, Balance & Loading examination is a mandatory theoretical knowledge subject for obtaining an Airline Transport Pilot Licence (Aeroplane) in South Africa. It covers mass terminology (BEM, DOM, MZFW, MTOM, MLM), structural and performance limits, center of gravity (CG) calculations, % MAC conversions, trim sheet index systems, forward and aft CG operational effects, load shift and ballast calculations, cargo compartment floor loading intensity limits, cargo restraint/lashing load factors, and load manifest management in commercial air transport.

Exam sponsor: South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

35 questions

Time Limit

120 minutes

Passing Score

75%

Exam / Certification Fees

R450 per subject sitting under SACAA Part 187 user fees

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

20%

Mass Terminology & Structural Limits

BEM, DOM, ZFW, TOM, LM, MRM, Traffic Load, Useful Load, and fuel load breakdowns under SACAA CARs/CATS.

25%

Center of Gravity & % MAC Calculations

Datum, moment, arms, LEMAC, TEMAC, % MAC determination, reverse % MAC solving, and index trim sheet systems.

15%

CG Envelope & Flight Performance Effects

Forward vs aft CG limits, longitudinal stability, trim drag, stall speed impact, pitch control authority, and fuel burn.

15%

Load Shifting & Ballast Management

Cargo and passenger movement calculations, ballast mass placement, and in-flight CG movement due to fuel burn.

15%

Cargo Compartment, Floor Loading & Tie-Down

Floor intensity limits (kg/m² and N/m²), dunnage spreader calculations, cargo tie-down lashing load factors, and restraint forces.

10%

Loading Manifest & Operational Load Planning

Maximum allowable traffic load, performance-limited masses (RTOM/RLM), last minute changes (LMC), and underload rules.

Preparing for the SACAA ATPL Mass & Balance Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 75%
  • Exam length: 35 questions
  • Time limit: 120 minutes
  • Exam / certification fees: R450 per subject sitting under SACAA Part 187 user fees Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

SACAA ATPL Mass & Balance: Suggested Study Strategy

1Master the distinction between structural mass limits (MTOM, MZFW, MLM) and performance-limited masses (RTOM, RLM).
2Always convert CG positions to % MAC using LEMAC and MAC length accurately.
3Use sign conventions carefully in load shift and ballast formulas (aft movements add moment, forward movements subtract moment).
4Check units for floor loading (kg/m² vs N/m²; remember 1 kg ≈ 9.81 N or 10 N depending on standard exam rounding).
5Practise trim sheet index calculations and Last Minute Change (LMC) limits for rapid verification.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the pass mark for the SACAA ATPL Mass, Balance & Loading exam?

Under CAR 61.01.10, the pass mark is 75%. All questions are multiple-choice with no negative marking.

How many questions are in the SACAA ATPL Mass & Balance exam and how much time is given?

The exam consists of 35 questions to be answered in 120 minutes (2 hours). Non-programmable scientific calculators and aviation flight computers are permitted per CA 61-91.

How much does the SACAA ATPL Mass & Balance exam cost?

The examination fee is R450 per subject sitting under SACAA Part 187 user fees. ATO testing facilities may charge additional invigilation or administrative fees.

What key calculation formulas must I know for ATPL Mass & Balance?

You must master % MAC = [(CG - LEMAC) / MAC] × 100, Load Shift m = (M_total × ΔCG) / d, Ballast mass m = M × (CG_target - CG_initial) / (Arm_ballast - CG_target), and Floor Loading = Mass / Area.

What cargo lashing load factors are tested by SACAA?

Cargo restraint load factors reflect emergency landing accelerations: forward restraint (typically 9.0g forward in cabin or 3.0g in cargo hold), upward (2.0g or 1.5g), sideways (1.5g), and rearward (1.5g).