If the empty weight CG lies within the empty weight CG limits, it is not necessary to calculate CG extremes. True or False?

If the empty weight CG lies within the empty weight CG limits, it is not necessary to calculate CG extremes. True or False?

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Only when EWCG equals the limit
• D. Only during maintenance

Answer: (A)

The balance of an aircraft is checked against center-of-gravity limits. The empty weight center of gravity is the CG location with no payload. If that EWCG lies inside the allowed empty-weight CG limits, the basic configuration already satisfies the balance constraint for the empty-weight case, so you don’t need to run CG-extremes calculations for that state. In other words, the airplane’s empty-weight position isn’t outside what’s permitted, so there isn’t a need to determine extreme forward or aft positions for the empty-weight condition itself. Remember, though, that you still must consider how adding fuel and payload moves the CG. Those loading scenarios determine whether the aircraft remains within the overall CG envelope during actual operation.

The balance of an aircraft is checked against center-of-gravity limits. The empty weight center of gravity is the CG location with no payload. If that EWCG lies inside the allowed empty-weight CG limits, the basic configuration already satisfies the balance constraint for the empty-weight case, so you don’t need to run CG-extremes calculations for that state. In other words, the airplane’s empty-weight position isn’t outside what’s permitted, so there isn’t a need to determine extreme forward or aft positions for the empty-weight condition itself.

Remember, though, that you still must consider how adding fuel and payload moves the CG. Those loading scenarios determine whether the aircraft remains within the overall CG envelope during actual operation.