Definition
A loading limitation meaning the center of gravity (CG) of an aircraft must be established on the ground before takeoff and must not shift to a new position during flight. The pilot must verify that the CG falls within approved limits before flight and that nothing onboard can move in a way that would relocate it once airborne.
Plain English
You have to know exactly where the aircraft's balance point is before you take off, and that balance point must stay put while you fly. Cargo, passengers, or fuel cannot shift around in flight in a way that changes where the airplane is balanced.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft loading, weight-and-balance, and operating-limitations discussions.
Derivation
“CG” stands for “center of gravity.” “Center” means the middle point, and “gravity” refers to the weight force pulling downward. Together, the term points to the spot where the aircraft’s weight can be thought of as balanced.
Why Pilots Care
An out-of-limit CG can make the aircraft uncontrollable or cause loss of elevator authority.
Analogy
Think of carrying a loaded tray. If the weight is too far forward, backward, or to one side, the tray becomes hard to hold level. An airplane also has a balance range it must stay within.
Grounding Statement
Before flight, the pilot checks that the aircraft will remain properly balanced from takeoff through landing.
Intuition Check
Do not read “located” as “found” here. It means “positioned”: the CG must not be positioned outside the approved range during flight.
Example Sentence 1
Because the CG must not be located during flight, the loadmaster secured every pallet with cargo straps before closing the cargo door.
Example Sentence 2
The weight-and-balance calculation showed the CG must not be located aft of the limit once cruise fuel is burned.