True or False: At the end of a trip, the fuel burned may change the CG of the airplane.

The statement is true; the fuel burned can indeed change the center of gravity (CG) of an airplane. As fuel is consumed during flight, it is typically stored in tanks located towards the wings and sometimes in the fuselage. When fuel is burned, the weight of the aircraft decreases, and since the distribution of that weight is affected by the location of the fuel tanks, the CG shifts accordingly.

If the fuel is primarily located in the wings and consumed evenly, the CG may shift subtly but still affects the aircraft’s balance, which can be crucial for safe flight operations and handling characteristics. Additionally, if the fuel is consumed in a non-uniform manner (for example, if one tank is drained more quickly than another), the effect on the CG can become more significant and may even exceed the safe operational limits.

Considering the other options, while moving loads can certainly affect the CG, the focus of this question is on fuel burning specifically. The implication that the fuel must be balanced ignores the fundamental principle that any reduction in weight from fuel consumption at fixed locations will invariably shift the CG. This makes the assertion that the fuel burned changes the CG of the airplane indisputable.