Definition
The sum of all individual moments acting on an aircraft, found by adding the moment of every item of weight (aircraft empty weight, fuel, occupants, baggage, cargo) about a common reference point, usually the datum. Each moment equals weight multiplied by its arm (the distance from the datum). The total moment, divided by the total weight, gives the center of gravity location.
Plain English
Add up the turning effect of every weight on the aircraft — the airplane itself, fuel, people, and bags. That combined number is the total moment, and it’s used to figure out where the airplane balances.
Context Anchor
Used during aircraft weight-and-balance calculations before flight, especially when checking whether the airplane will be loaded within its approved balance range.
Derivation
‘Moment’ comes from the Latin momentum, meaning ‘movement’ or ‘turning effect.’ In physics, a moment is the tendency of a force to rotate something around a point. ‘Total’ simply means the sum of all of them. So total moment is the combined turning effect of every weight on the airplane.
Why Pilots Care
Determines whether the center of gravity stays inside the approved limits so the airplane remains stable and controllable.
Analogy
Think of a seesaw. A light person far from the center can have as much tipping effect as a heavier person closer to the center; total moment is the combined tipping effect of everyone and everything on the seesaw.
Intuition Check
Do not read moment as a point in time here. In weight and balance, moment means the balance effect created by weight acting at a distance from a reference point.
Example Sentence 1
After loading the passengers and bags, the pilot added each moment on the worksheet to find the total moment, then divided by total weight to confirm the CG was within limits.
Example Sentence 2
After moving cargo forward, the total moment decreased and the center of gravity moved into the safe range.