Describe the importance of weight and balance in an aircraft

Describe the importance of weight and balance in an aircraft. What is required if the aircraft center of gravity (CG) is forward of normal; what may result if it is too far forward? What may cause a light general aviation (GA) aircraft CG to be too far aft, and what may happen to an aircraft on takeoff or climb out with a significantly aft loaded CG?

Solution

When weight of the aircaft is at or below the maximum allowable limits for all configurations including takeoff, landing, taxing and its CG is within allowable limits then the aircraft will be in weight and balance. It is seriously important take the weight and balance in an aircraft, until wieght is not properly balance by lift it won\'t be able to fly and if CG is misplaced then it can create incorrect moments which will lead the aircraft in the unstability conditions which can be catastrophic and most importantly the aircraft won\'t be able to fly.

If the CG is forward of normal then it will create a pitching down moment (i.e. nose will go down even when the controls are set for steady flight) to counter this proper moment need to be generated using the elevator of the aircraft to make the steady flight. If it is too far forward it won\'t be possible to generate the counter moment using the elevators and aircraft won\'t be able to takeoff or while landing it won\'t be able to pitch up the nose to slow down the aircraft.

If the CG is significantly aft loaded then during the takeoff phase the tail of the aircraft may hit the ground and cause injuries. Basically it will produce higher pitching up moment. It leads to reduced pitch stability and increased elevator control senstivity. If the proper CG calculations are not performed before the take then for any GA aircraft after few hours of flight when the fuel in the tank is reduced then weight of the aircraft is reduced and CG may shift aft.

These all occurs when proper weight and balance are not perfomed prior to the flight which includes maximum allowable weight of the aircraft with/without fuel, with/without pilot and with/without cargo. Fuel burning and reduction in weight must be considered while making CG calculations.