Which procedure will produce a negative (minus) moment forward of the datum?

To produce a negative moment forward of the datum, the correct process involves removing weight from the aircraft.

In the context of aircraft weight and balance, a moment is calculated by multiplying the weight of an object by its distance from a reference point known as the datum. A negative moment indicates that the moment is acting in the opposite direction to the positive moment created by the aircraft’s weight.

When weight is removed, especially from the nose of the aircraft, it lessens the overall forward moment experienced at the datum. For instance, if you remove baggage or cargo from the front section of the fuselage, the shift reduces the weight that is creating a positive moment about the datum, thereby contributing to a negative moment.

Adding weight, on the other hand, would increase the positive moment, moving it away from the negative direction. Repositioning cargo might not necessarily affect the overall moment in a predictable way unless it involves moving weight away from the nose. Increasing fuel load typically increases the overall aircraft weight and could also lead to a more forward-acting positive moment. Therefore, removing weight is the proper procedure for achieving a negative moment forward of the datum.