Definition
A graphical aid used to determine whether an airplane's loaded weight and center of gravity (CG) fall within approved limits. It typically consists of a printed chart specific to the aircraft model, overlaid with a transparent or movable plastic slide marked with reference lines. The pilot uses it to plot the weight of each load item (fuel, passengers, baggage) against its arm or station, then reads the resulting total weight and CG position directly from the chart.
Plain English
A simple chart-and-slide tool that lets you check, by drawing lines, whether your loaded airplane is within safe weight and balance limits before flight.
Context Anchor
Used during preflight planning when checking fuel, passengers, baggage, and cargo against the airplane’s weight and balance limits.
Derivation
Plotter' comes from 'to plot' — to mark points on a chart. The same word is used for the navigation plotter pilots use on sectional charts. Here it means a tool for plotting weight and balance values rather than course lines.
Why Pilots Care
Confirms the center of gravity stays inside certified limits so the aircraft remains stable and controllable throughout the flight.
Intuition Check
A weight and balance plotter does not weigh the airplane and does not fix a loading problem. It only shows whether the weight and balance numbers you calculated fall inside the allowed area.
Example Sentence 1
Before loading the baggage, the pilot used the weight and balance plotter to confirm the airplane would stay within CG limits with full fuel and four passengers.
Example Sentence 2
After adding cargo, she rechecked the new position on the weight and balance plotter to verify it remained within limits.