What will affect the CG results when conducting a weight and balance check?

The center of gravity (CG) of an aircraft is crucial for its stability and handling characteristics, and certain actions or configurations can significantly impact CG results. Leaving downlocks installed is particularly relevant to weight and balance calculations because downlocks are used to secure the landing gear in place during ground operations. When downlocks are installed, they can prevent the landing gear from fully collapsing to its normal position, which typically alters the aircraft's overall geometry and weight distribution as it affects the wing and fuselage angles. This change can inadvertently shift the CG position, leading to inaccurate weight and balance calculations during checks.

In contrast, other options directly related to CG calculations, such as removing fuel, changing the wing configuration, or adjusting trim tabs, do not have the same direct effect on the overall CG position. While removing fuel alters the total weight, it mainly affects calculations concerning weight but not necessarily the relative positions affecting CG unless linked to a specific load configuration. Changing wing configurations, like extending flaps, can influence aerodynamic characteristics but does not inherently change the CG location. Lastly, adjusting trim tabs affects control surface positions for flight but again does not impact the aircraft's structural weight distribution or its CG directly. Thus, the consideration of downlocks is uniquely relevant in understanding their impact