⚖️ The Moment That Keeps Us Balanced —Understanding Centre of Gravity

Every pilot knows that a well-balanced aircraft is a safe aircraft. The Centre of Gravity (CofG) isn’t just a number on a chart; it’s the invisible point where your aircraft balances in flight. Get it wrong, and your aircraft may be hard to control or even unsafe to fly.

So how do we find that perfect balance point?

It all comes down to one simple equation:

Moment= Force × Arm

In aviation terms, that means multiplying the weight of each item by its distance (arm) from a fixed reference point called the datum. The result is the moment, which tells us how much that weight is trying to tip or rotate the aircraft around that datum.

By adding all the individual moments together and dividing by the total weight, we find the Centre of Gravity which is the exact point where the aircraft will balance.

A forward CofG makes the nose heavy and harder to rotate, while an aft CofG makes the aircraft more sensitive and less stable. Staying within limits keeps control forces predictable and flight performance optimal.

Understanding the moment isn’t just theory — it’s the practical science behind every safe take-off. Because when it comes to flying, balance really is everything.