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Lateral Centre of Gravity Range
The lateral centre of gravity range defines the permissible limits for the centre of gravity along the lateral axis of an aircraft. This is particularly critical in helicopter operations, where asymmetric loading can severely affect cyclic control margins and hover stability.
Key Points
- •Lateral centre of gravity position strongly affects hover performance and cyclic control margins in helicopters.
- •Asymmetric loading from heavy passengers or uneven fuel distribution can push the lateral balance outside limits.
- •Lateral centre of gravity requires specific calculation and close attention when completing rotorcraft load sheets.
Exam Relevance
While fixed-wing pilots focus mainly on longitudinal balance, helicopter pilots must frequently calculate lateral balance to prevent control limits from being exceeded in flight.
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