What is a key consideration when distributing fuel among tanks during preflight to maintain CG within limits?

• A. Fuel should be distributed evenly and rechecked after changes.
• B. Fuel should be concentrated in the outer tank to improve inertia.
• C. Fuel distribution is irrelevant to CG.
• D. Fuel should be added only after takeoff.

Answer: (A)

Maintaining the center of gravity within allowable limits is the key idea. Fuel load moves the aircraft’s weight to different locations, and where that weight sits along the wing and fuselage changes how the airplane balances. By distributing fuel evenly across tanks and then rechecking after any changes, you keep the overall balance near the design center, which helps with stable flight, predictable controllability, and proper trim.

If you were to concentrate fuel in an outer tank, the CG would shift toward the wingtip, making the airplane more prone to roll and reducing controllability—clearly unsafe. Saying fuel distribution doesn’t matter is false because the position of weight directly affects balance. Waiting to add fuel until after takeoff is not acceptable, since the plane must be within allowed weight and balance limits before any flight phase.

So, evenly distributing fuel and rechecking keeps you within limits and maintains safe, predictable handling.