Definition
The point on an airplane at which all of its weight is considered to be concentrated and balanced. It is the theoretical point around which the aircraft would balance if suspended, and it is the point about which the airplane pitches, rolls, and yaws in flight.
Plain English
The single balance point of the airplane — the spot where its weight is effectively centered. Where this point sits (further forward or further aft) changes how the airplane handles.
Context Anchor
Seen in weight-and-balance calculations, aircraft loading, and stall discussions where airplane handling and recovery are affected by loading.
Derivation
From Latin gravitas, meaning weight or heaviness. The 'center of gravity' is literally the center of an object's weight — the one point that represents where all the weight effectively acts.
Why Pilots Care
A center of gravity outside approved limits changes stall speed, recovery characteristics, and overall controllability, directly affecting safety.
Analogy
Think of balancing a pencil on your finger. The spot where it balances is like the pencil's center of gravity; move weight toward one end, and the balance point moves too.
Intuition Check
Do not assume the CG is always at the physical middle of the airplane. It is the balance point of the loaded airplane, and it moves when the load changes.
Example Sentence 1
Before takeoff, the pilot calculated the CG to confirm it was within the limits shown in the POH.
Example Sentence 2
Moving heavy cargo aft shifted the center of gravity and made the stall recovery noticeably more nose-up.