How do you determine whether a configuration is within the allowable center of gravity range?

• A. Use the weight and balance data, compute total weight and moments, locate CG, and verify it lies within the published allowable range for that configuration.
• B. Use guesswork and pilot experience.
• C. CG is fixed and does not vary.
• D. Only the pilot's height affects CG.

Answer: (B)

Determining whether a configuration sits within the allowable center of gravity range comes down to using the aircraft’s weight and balance data to compute where the CG actually lies for that specific loading. You gather all weights (empty weight, payload, fuel, baggage, etc.), multiply each by its arm (its distance from the datum) to get moments, sum them to get total weight and total moment, then divide total moment by total weight to find the CG. That CG must be compared to the published envelope for that exact configuration (the CG limits can vary with configuration, fuel on board, gear position, etc.). If the calculated CG sits between the forward and aft limits, the configuration is acceptable; if not, you must adjust the load or fuel to bring it inside the limits.

Relying on guesswork or pilot experience alone isn’t sufficient because the CG depends on precise weights and their distribution, not just how the aircraft feels. The CG also changes as fuel is burned or as loads are added or removed, so you must verify against the official data for every configuration. The pilot’s height has no bearing on the aircraft’s CG location; it’s determined by where all weights are placed, not by individual body size.