Definition
An FAA Advisory Circular that provides accepted methods, standards, and procedures for controlling the weight and balance of aircraft. It explains how operators determine empty weight, establish standard passenger and baggage weights, build loading schedules, and verify that an aircraft is loaded within its certified center-of-gravity and weight limits before flight.
Plain English
An official FAA guidance document that tells operators how to weigh aircraft, account for passengers and cargo, and confirm the aircraft is loaded safely before takeoff.
Context Anchor
Seen in weight-and-balance study, aircraft loading procedures, and FAA references for how operators manage loading safely and consistently.
Derivation
An Advisory Circular (AC) is the FAA's way of issuing non-regulatory guidance. The number 120-27 identifies the series (120 covers air carrier and commercial operations) and the specific topic. The current version carries a letter suffix (for example AC 120-27F) marking the latest revision.
Why Pilots Care
Proper use of this guidance prevents loss of aircraft control due to out-of-limit center of gravity or exceeding maximum weights.
Grounding Statement
AC 120-27 is about having a reliable system so each flight starts with the aircraft loaded within its safe limits.
Intuition Check
Control here does not mean controlling the airplane with the flight controls. It means controlling the loading process so the aircraft’s weight and balance stay within approved limits.
Example Sentence 1
The charter operator built its loading manual using the standard passenger weights published in AC 120-27.
Example Sentence 2
Before the charter flight, the pilot reviewed AC 120-27 to confirm the baggage placement kept the center of gravity within limits.