FAA-G-8082-22, ch. 4

How does weight affect a small drone?

Weight decides whether a small UA can take off and climb safely. Here is what the FAA Study Guide says about loading, the exam traps and practice questions, with the FAA source under each answer.

Part 107, explained · Last reviewed October 25, 2026 against the eCFR and faa.gov. UAV Campus is not affiliated with the FAA.

How does weight affect a small unmanned aircraft?

Weight is the combined load of the aircraft, crew, fuel and cargo, pulled down by gravity. Before flight the remote pilot should confirm the aircraft is correctly loaded and follow the manufacturer's weight and balance limits. High elevation, high temperature and high humidity can require less weight than the maximum gross takeoff weight.

Sources: FAA-G-8082-22 ch. 4, Small Unmanned Aircraft Loading · FAA-H-8083-25C ch. 5, Forces Acting on the Aircraft

What the FAA handbook says

FAA-G-8082-22 ch. 4, Small Unmanned Aircraft Loading

Compliance with the manufacturer’s weight and balance limits is critical to flight safety. The remote PIC must consider the consequences of an overweight aircraft if an emergency condition arises.

FAA-G-8082-22 ch. 4, Small Unmanned Aircraft Loading

Although a maximum gross takeoff weight may be specified, the aircraft may not always safely take off with this load under all conditions.

FAA-G-8082-22 ch. 4, Small Unmanned Aircraft Loading

In small UA operations, weight change during flight may occur when expendable items are used on board (e.g., a jettisonable load).

FAA-H-8083-25C ch. 5, Forces Acting on the Aircraft

Weight—the combined load of the aircraft itself, the crew, the fuel, and the cargo or baggage.

Sources: FAA-G-8082-22 ch. 4, Small Unmanned Aircraft Loading · FAA-G-8082-22 ch. 4, Small Unmanned Aircraft Loading · FAA-G-8082-22 ch. 4, Small Unmanned Aircraft Loading · FAA-H-8083-25C ch. 5, Forces Acting on the Aircraft

Exam traps

  • A specified maximum gross takeoff weight does not mean the aircraft can safely take off with that load under all conditions.
  • High elevations, high air temperatures and high humidity (high density altitudes) may require a reduction in weight before flight is attempted.
  • Fuel burn is the most common weight change in flight: the aircraft becomes lighter and performance improves, but this could have a negative effect on balance.
  • Weight changes during flight have a direct effect on aircraft performance, and lift must counteract the aircraft's weight.

Try it: practice questions

Similar to the FAA test, not the actual test questions.

Practice question 1

Which combination of atmospheric conditions will reduce aircraft takeoff and climb performance?

  1. A High temperature, high relative humidity, and high density altitude.
  2. B Low temperature, low relative humidity, and low density altitude.
  3. C High temperature, low relative humidity, and low density altitude.
Show the answer
Answer: A. High temperature, high relative humidity, and high density altitude.

Density altitude increases with an increase in temperature, a decrease in pressure, and/or an increase in humidity.

FAA source: FAA-G-8082-22 ch. 4, Small Unmanned Aircraft Loading

Practice question 2

When loading cameras or other equipment on an sUAS, mount the items in a manner that

  1. A can be easily removed without the use of tools.
  2. B is visible to the visual observer or other crew members.
  3. C does not adversely affect the center of gravity.
Show the answer
Answer: C. does not adversely affect the center of gravity.

So when mounting cameras or other equipment, be sure it doesn’t change the CG to the point where it is out of limits. While the other two answers are rather correct, the “most correct” answer is still “does not adversely affect the center of gravity.)

FAA source: FAA-G-8082-22 ch. 4, Small Unmanned Aircraft Loading

Practice question 3

To ensure that the unmanned aircraft center of gravity (CG) limits are not exceeded, follow the aircraft loading instructions specified in the

  1. A Aircraft Weight and Balance Handbook.
  2. B Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM).
  3. C Pilot’s Operating Handbook or UAS Flight Manual.
Show the answer
Answer: C. Pilot’s Operating Handbook or UAS Flight Manual.

( There is no such thing as an Aircraft Weight and Balance Handbook. All the information for the aircraft is contained in either the Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH), which is a manned aircraft term, or the UAS Flight Manual if one is provided by the manufacturer. The Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) is an FAA document that explains a variety of topics in more details.)

FAA source: FAA-G-8082-22 ch. 4, Small Unmanned Aircraft Loading

Should I check weight and balance before every flight?

Yes. The Study Guide says that before any flight the remote PIC should verify the aircraft is correctly loaded by determining its weight and balance condition.

Source: FAA-G-8082-22 ch. 4, Small Unmanned Aircraft Loading

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