Definition
The maximum and minimum total moment values allowed for a given aircraft weight, as published by the manufacturer in the weight-and-balance section of the POH/AFM. The aircraft's loaded total moment must fall between these limits at the corresponding weight for the loading to be within the approved center-of-gravity range.
Plain English
The smallest and largest total moment numbers your aircraft is allowed to have at a given weight. If your loaded moment is between those two numbers, the airplane is balanced correctly. If it falls outside, the load needs to be rearranged.
Context Anchor
Seen in weight-and-balance tables or charts when using the table method to confirm that a planned loading is within the approved balance range.
Derivation
A 'moment' in physics is weight multiplied by its distance (arm) from a reference point — it measures turning effect. 'Limits' marks the boundaries of what is allowed. Together, the term names the boundary values of acceptable turning effect for a loaded aircraft.
Why Pilots Care
Staying inside moment limits keeps the center of gravity inside approved bounds, preserving stability and control.
Analogy
Think of a seesaw. The same total weight can balance well or badly depending on where the people sit. Moment limits are like the allowed balance range for the airplane.
Grounding Statement
Moment limits tell you whether the loaded airplane’s balance is inside the safe forward-to-aft range.
Intuition Check
Moment does not mean a short period of time here. In weight and balance, moment means the turning or balancing effect created by weight at a distance from a reference point.
Example Sentence 1
After loading the passengers and baggage, the pilot checked the chart and confirmed the total moment fell between the published moment limits for that weight.
Example Sentence 2
Adding extra baggage pushed the moment past the upper limit, so the pilot moved weight forward to correct it.