Why are weight and CG limits crucial for flight safety?

Weight and center of gravity (CG) limits are essential for ensuring that an aircraft remains controllable and operates safely throughout all phases of flight. The aircraft must be within its weight limits to maintain performance characteristics such as climb rate, stall speed, and overall stability. The center of gravity, which is the point where the aircraft's weight is evenly distributed, affects how the aircraft handles. If the CG is too far forward or aft, it can lead to difficulties in controlling the aircraft and may contribute to performance issues or even accidents.

Maintaining the correct weight and CG within specified limits ensures that the aircraft behaves as expected, allowing for smooth maneuvers and safe recovery from unusual flight conditions. This is crucial not just during takeoff and landing, but throughout the entire flight, including cruise and descent.

While passenger capacity limits and regulatory compliance contribute to safety, they do not encompass the complete significance of weight and CG limits, which are directly tied to the aircraft's control and overall safety in flight.