Definition
A loading condition in which the airplane's center of gravity is located near or at the rearward limit of its approved CG range. An aft CG reduces longitudinal stability, lengthens recovery from stalls and spins, and in some cases can make recovery impossible if the CG is loaded behind the aft limit.
Plain English
The airplane's balance point is far back toward the tail. The further back the balance point sits, the less stable the airplane is in pitch, and the harder it becomes to recover from a stall or spin.
Context Anchor
Seen in weight and balance calculations, loading decisions, and stall or spin recovery discussions.
Derivation
Aft' is an old nautical word meaning 'toward the stern' or 'toward the rear.' Aviation borrowed the term from ships, so 'aft CG' simply means the center of gravity is positioned toward the back of the airplane.
Why Pilots Care
An aft CG reduces longitudinal stability, raises the risk of entering a spin, and can make recovery impossible within the design envelope.
Grounding Statement
If passengers or baggage are loaded too far back, the airplane may balance farther toward the tail and may resist lowering the nose when recovery is needed.
Intuition Check
Aft CG does not simply mean there is weight in the back of the airplane. It means the airplane’s actual balance point is farther toward the tail, and it may or may not still be within the approved limit.
Example Sentence 1
After loading three passengers in the rear seats and full baggage, the pilot recalculated and found the airplane was at an aft CG, close to the rearward limit.
Example Sentence 2
During the preflight weight check, the aft CG placed the airplane outside the approved envelope for spin training.