August 16, 2018 by ETL

The aircraft manufacturer sets the helicopter’s center of gravity limits. If operating outside
of these limits, the helicopter may be uncontrollable in certain situations.

The effects of CG are a reason to perform a weight/balance calculation before each

flight. When the CG is forward of limits, there may not be enough aft cyclic travel to stop
the helicopter, in particular during the flare at the end of an autorotation. With a forward
CG, the helicopter will hover nose low in no-wind conditions. This condition may not be as
noticeable in windy conditions.

When the CG is aft of limits, excessive forward cyclic will be required for forward flight.
Should a gust of wind occur, there may not be enough cyclic travel to adequately control
the helicopter in forward flight.

Lateral CG limits are also established to ensure that cyclic travel is available to adequately
control the aircraft during all phases of light. Smaller training helicopters may have
certain limits, such as solo flight from the right seat, primarily due to the fuel tank
locations. Depending where the fuel tanks are located, the CG will often move forward
and to the opposite side as fuel is burned off during the flight, especially in small training
helicopters.

Reference(s):

FAA-H-8083-21A – Helicopter Flying Handbook pg. 6-2

Principles of Helicopter Flight, 2nd Edition, pg. 270

Other Helicopter Performance Topics

Helicopter Performance
Autorotation

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About the Author

Bradley J. Fenster loves aviation and has a passion for teaching. Brad is the owner and the
primary helicopter instructor for ETL Aviation. Prior to learning to fly, Brad spent several
years in the military. Brad was a Special Warfare Combat Craft Crewman in the U.S. Navy
and he was also a Ranger-qualified infantry officer in the Army. Brad is a father and lives in
Lexington, Kentucky with his beautiful wife and two cats.

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