Definition
Operating an aircraft with a total weight that exceeds the maximum gross weight limit established by the manufacturer, or with weight distribution that exceeds any structural or center-of-gravity limit specified for that aircraft.
Plain English
Loading the airplane with more weight than it is approved to carry, or placing the load in a way the aircraft is not approved to handle.
Context Anchor
Pilots encounter this during preflight planning, weight and balance checks, and decisions about passengers, baggage, and fuel.
Derivation
From 'over' (beyond, exceeding) and 'load' (the weight carried). In aviation, the everyday sense of 'too much stuff' becomes a precise limit: exceeding any approved weight figure for that specific aircraft.
Why Pilots Care
Exceeding the limit reduces climb performance, raises stall speed, lengthens takeoff and landing distances, and risks structural damage or loss of control.
Intuition Check
Overloading does not just mean the airplane feels full or crowded. In aviation, it means the load is beyond an approved limit, even if the aircraft can still move or lift off.
Example Sentence 1
After running the weight-and-balance numbers, the pilot realized that adding the fourth passenger would result in overloading, so one bag was left behind.
Example Sentence 2
Overloading the aircraft caused it to use more runway than expected during the takeoff roll.