Effects of Out of Limit CG Position

The centre of gravity (CG) is:

• the point that the total weight of the aircraft is said to act through

• the point of balance

• that part of the aircraft that follows the flight path

• the point that the aircraft manoeuvres about in the air

• the point that the three axes of the aircraft pass through.

 The position of the CG determines how stable or how manoeuvrable the aircraft will be.
 Starting at the mid position of the fuselage,
 CG moving towards the nose of the aircraft will progressively increase the stability and, at
the same time, progressively reduce the manoeuvrability
 CG moving aft towards the tail of the aircraft will increase the manoeuvrability and decrease
the stability.
 Too much stability increases the flying control stick forces and the work load on the pilot
trying to overcome them. Too much manoeuvrability makes the aircraft unstable and
difficult to control.

 With regard to aeroplanes, the CG is not fixed. It moves in flight as a result of fuel burn, flap
positions, and crew and passenger movements.
 The manufacturer sets down CG range of movement limits to ensure that the average pilot is
able to control the aircraft through all stages of flight safely, with normal piloting effort, free
of fatigue.
 It is the aircraft operator’s responsibility to ensure that the CG movement is retained within
the limits imposed by the manufacturer.

Centre of Gravity Limits The CG is not a fixed point; it has a range of movement between a
maximum forward position and a maximum rearward position which is set by the aircraft
manufacturer and cannot be exceeded
Movement of CG in Flight
Datum A point along the longitudinal axis (centre line) of the aeroplane (or its extension) designated
by the manufacturer as the zero or reference point from which all balance arms (distances) begin

Balance Arm The distance from the aircraft’s datum to the CG position or centroid of a body or mass

CG Envelope
2. What effect has a centre of gravity close to the forward limit?

a. a better rate of climb capability.

b. a reduction in the specific fuel consumption.

c. a reduced rate of climb for a particular flight path.

d. a decreased induced drag.

3. The distance from the datum to the CG is:

a. the index
b. the moment

c. the balance arm

d. the station

10. If the aeroplane was neutrally stable this would suggest that:

a. the CG is forward

b. the CG is in mid range

c. the CG is on the rear limit

d. the CG is behind the rear limit

11. The CG position is:

a. set by the pilot

b. set by the manufacturer

c. able to exist within a range

d. fixed

12. Which of the following has the least effect on the CG?

a. Cabin crew members performing their normal duties

b. Fuel usage

c. Stabilator trim setting

d. Mass added or removed at the neutral point

15 The CG is:

a. the point on the aircraft where the datum is located

b. the point on the aircraft at which gravity appears to act

c. the point on the aircraft from where the dihedral angle is measured

d. the point on the aircraft where the lift acts through

16. The aircraft basic mass and CG position details are found on:

a. the weighing schedule and the aeroplane must be re-weighed if equipment

change causes a change in mass or balance

b. on the loading manifest and is DOM – traffic load

c. on the loading manifest and is ZFM – useful load

d. on the weighing schedule and in the aeroplane technical log, and are adjusted
to take account of any mass changes

36. What is the effect of moving the CG from the front to the rear limit at constant

altitude, CAS and temperature?

a. Reduced optimum cruise range

b. Reduced cruise range

c. Increased cruise range

d. Increased stall speed

39. Where does the mass act through when the aircraft is stationary on the ground?

a. The centre of gravity

b. The main wheels

c. It doesn’t act through anywhere

d. The aerodynamic centre