What is meant by permanent ballast for an aircraft?

• A. Weight permanently installed to bring EWCG into allowable limits.
• B. A removable ballast for solo flight.
• C. A ballast used only for flight testing.
• D. A ballast that can be swapped between flights.

Answer: (A)

Permanent ballast is weight that is fixed in place on the aircraft to ensure the empty-weight center of gravity is within the approved limits, and it stays in place for every flight. It’s not removed or swapped before flying, unlike removable ballast used for solo training, flight testing, or changing the balance between flights. By tying the ballast into the airframe, engineers ensure the aircraft’s balance remains safe and controllable as fuel is burned and payload changes during routine operations.