WEIGHT & BALANCE
REASONS WHY IT'S IMPORTANT
01
SAFETY
Operating an aircraft that is not properly balanced can lead to heightened pilot fatigue, which in turn has a direct impact on the safety and effectiveness of the flight. Adhering to the weight and balance restrictions of any aircraft is of utmost importance in ensuring flight safety. The concept of balance pertains to the positioning of the aircraft's center of gravity (CG), and plays a crucial role in maintaining stability and ensuring flight safety.
03
PERFORMANCE
Exceeding the maximum weight limitation of an aircraft poses a significant risk to its structural integrity and has a detrimental impact on its overall performance. The presence of any additional items on board that contribute to an increase in total weight is highly undesirable, as it directly affects the aircraft's performance.
02
STABILITY
As one can envision, any motion in the center of gravity (CG) will have an impact on the aircraft's equilibrium. Therefore, the positioning of the CG must be such that the aircraft maintains stability, while also ensuring ease of control with minimal exertion. Consequently, achieving this balance necessitates a compromise between these two crucial factors.
04
IT IS REQUIRED
According to 14 CFR part 23, section 23.23, there are specific weight and center of gravity (CG) ranges that an aircraft must stay within for safe operation. Although pilots operating under 14 CFR part 91 are not required to perform weight and balance calculations before each flight, section 91.9 of part 91 mandates that the pilot in command (PIC) must adhere to the operating limits specified in the approved Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM).