Definition
An FAA Advisory Circular titled Aircraft Weight and Balance Control, which provides guidance on the methods, procedures, and standards used to determine and control the weight and balance of aircraft. It is primarily directed at operators of larger and commercial aircraft but is widely referenced as the authoritative source on weight and balance practices.
Plain English
An FAA guidance document that explains how to weigh aircraft properly and keep their loading within safe limits.
Context Anchor
Seen in weight and balance discussions, especially when the FAA handbook points to official guidance on loading procedures and weight control programs.
Derivation
Advisory Circulars are FAA publications numbered by subject area. The 120 series covers air carrier operations. AC 120-27 is the 27th circular issued in that series, and the current revision deals with aircraft weight and balance control.
Why Pilots Care
Following this circular keeps an operator’s weight and balance program compliant with regulations and reduces the risk of performance or structural problems.
Intuition Check
Do not read AC 120-27 as an aircraft model or a regulation by itself. It is an FAA guidance document identified by number.
Example Sentence 1
The operator's weight and balance program was built around the procedures described in AC 120-27.
Example Sentence 2
Before approving a new loading procedure, the chief pilot checked the latest revision of AC 120-27.