Why is it essential to keep the center of gravity (CG) within specified limits?

Maintaining the center of gravity (CG) within specified limits is essential because it directly affects the helicopter's stability, control, and overall flight safety. The CG is the point at which the helicopter's weight is balanced. If the CG is outside of the acceptable range, the helicopter becomes more difficult to control and may exhibit dangerous handling characteristics. If the CG is too far forward, the helicopter may become nose-heavy, requiring excessive aft cyclic input to maintain level flight. This can reduce the effectiveness of the cyclic control and make it difficult to flare for landing. If the CG is too far aft, the helicopter may become tail-heavy, making it difficult to maintain directional control and increasing the risk of tail rotor strike. An aft CG can also make the helicopter more susceptible to mast bumping, a potentially catastrophic condition where the rotor mast impacts the rotor head. Operating with the CG outside of limits can also increase pilot workload and fatigue, ultimately increasing the risk of an accident. Therefore, accurate weight and balance calculations and proper loading procedures are critical for ensuring the CG remains within the approved range.