Pilot Foundations · Source-checked
Center of gravity and loading
Learning goals
- Explain moment = weight × arm
- Describe how forward and aft CG change handling
Each item's moment is its weight multiplied by its arm from the datum. Add the moments, divide by total weight, and you get the center of gravity, which must fall inside the envelope in the AFM/POH.
A forward CG makes the airplane stall at a higher speed and normally needs higher elevator forces. A tail-heavy (aft) loading seriously reduces longitudinal stability and the ability to recover from stalls and spins, and produces very light control forces. Fuel burn moves the CG during flight, so check both takeoff and landing conditions. We do not provide a generic calculator here: use the actual weight-and-balance data for the aircraft you fly.
Assigned reading
Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25C (2023) with MOSAIC addendum (Oct 2025))
Chapter 10: Weight and Balance; Chapter 5 (CG effects on stall speed) · Federal Aviation Administration · reviewed 2026-10-21
Self-check
Original practice questions for self-assessment only — not FAA test questions and not a certification.
Study preparation only. Not FAA-approved ground training, no endorsement, logbook or flight-time credit, and no guaranteed test result. Always follow your instructor and the approved AFM/POH for your aircraft.