Plain English Meaning

A way to check that an aircraft is loaded safely by reading values off charts in the aircraft's handbook instead of doing the multiplication math by hand. You look up each load on a graph, add up the numbers, and check the final point falls inside the safe area on a final chart.

Full Definition

A weight and balance computation technique that uses load graphs and a moment envelope chart from the Pilot's Operating Handbook to determine whether an aircraft is loaded within its approved weight and center of gravity limits. The pilot reads each load item (fuel, occupants, baggage) off a graph to find its moment, sums the weights and moments, then plots the total on the moment envelope to confirm the aircraft is within limits.