Definition
The rearmost permissible location of an aircraft's center of gravity, as specified by the manufacturer in the Type Certificate Data Sheet and reflected in the Pilot's Operating Handbook. Loading the aircraft so the center of gravity falls behind this point is prohibited because it produces unacceptable handling characteristics, including reduced longitudinal stability and a degraded ability to recover from stalls.
Plain English
The furthest-back position the aircraft's balance point is allowed to be. If the weight of people, fuel, and baggage is loaded so the balance point sits behind this limit, the aircraft is not legal or safe to fly.
Context Anchor
Seen during weight and balance calculations before flight, especially when checking a loading chart, loading graph, or aircraft weight-and-balance data.
Derivation
Aft' is an old nautical term meaning 'toward the rear of a vessel,' carried into aviation from shipbuilding. 'CG' stands for center of gravity -- the single point where the aircraft's weight is considered to act. So 'aft CG limit' literally means 'the rearmost balance-point boundary.'
Why Pilots Care
Operating beyond the aft CG limits reduces pitch stability, increases the risk of stall-spin entry, and can make recovery from maneuvers difficult or impossible.
Grounding Statement
Picture passengers or bags being loaded toward the rear of the airplane; the aft CG limit is the last approved rearward point the airplane’s balance may reach.
Intuition Check
Aft CG limits are not recommended targets. They are rearward boundaries that must not be exceeded.
Example Sentence 1
After adding two passengers in the rear seats and full baggage, the pilot recalculated and found the loaded center of gravity was just inside the aft CG limit.
Example Sentence 2
The weight and balance form showed the CG approaching the aft CG limits, prompting the pilot to shift some baggage forward.