Pilot License Practice Test

To determine how much fuel needs to be drained when an aircraft is overweight, you first need to recognize the weight of the fuel being carried. Aviation fuel typically weighs about 6 pounds per gallon.

In this case, the aircraft is 90 pounds over the maximum certified gross weight. To find out how many gallons of fuel should be drained to reduce this excess weight, you divide the total excess weight by the weight of fuel per gallon.

So, if you take the 90 pounds and divide it by the weight of 6 pounds per gallon, you arrive at:

90 pounds / 6 pounds per gallon = 15 gallons.

Draining 15 gallons of fuel will reduce the aircraft's weight by 90 pounds, bringing it back within the maximum gross weight limits.

This calculation underscores the importance of understanding weight management and the implications of fuel weight on aircraft performance and safety.