In MSFS2024 how to I check the weigh and balance (or CG) position for left and right (sorry if terminology is wrong)?  In the EFB I can only see CG movement forward (aft?) and backward.  Sorry if this information is readily available - I can't seem to find it.

 

Thanks!

Checking the left-right position of your CG isn't something that is usually done, possibly (?) outside of helicopters.

Airplane fuselages are much less wide than they are long, so you simply won't be able to produce a moment arm on the left-right direction that is long enough to cause a problem. Also, forward-aft CG position is more critical because it affects your stability in the pitch axis as well as how prone the airplane is to stalling and spinning.

Edited June 18, 2025Jun 18 by martinboehme

Good to know.  Thanks for the explanation!

Maybe there is a little bit more to this. Lateral unbalance is (in real life) surely a factor that is taken into consideration when preparing loadsheets on cargo aircraft. Of course only when there is double row loading like e.g. the 747 or other WB aircraft.  Apart from the cargo also a possible fuel unbalance between  the L/R wings counts towards the lateral unbalance. But this is a factor but that would be up to the crew inflight. 

There are for sure loadsheet limitations for the lateral unbalance. 

I do not believe lateral unbalance is simulated in MSFS so no need to check. But in my former company where we made loadplanning and loadsheets for WB freighters it was definately part of the procedure

B rdgd / Dick

15 minutes ago, Dick said:

I do not believe lateral unbalance is simulated in MSFS so no need to check. But in my former company where we made loadplanning and loadsheets for WB freighters it was definately part of the procedure

Thanks - I learned something there!

(I've only done W&B in the real world for single-engine piston airplanes, and lateral imbalance isn't something that's considered there. I should obviously be more careful about extrapolating from that to all airplanes...)

It is almost surely simulated in MSFS 2024, even if not shown on the aircraft L&B diagrams..

Some lighter GA can be tested for it by creating a sutuation with a rather heavy pilot flying alone in an aircraft with 2 seats side by side or more rows of 2 seats side by side, and even on bigger GA like a Douglas DC-3.

Play around with different loads, making sure there's no fuel imbalance and you'll be able to notice the difference...

Edited June 18, 2025Jun 18 by jcomm

2 hours ago, jcomm said:

Some lighter GA can be tested for it by creating a sutuation with a rather heavy pilot flying alone in an aircraft with 2 seats side by side or more rows of 2 seats side by side, and even on bigger GA like a Douglas DC-3.

Fuel imbalance is another way to impact lateral CG, for example, a plane with tip tanks.

Al

Using the Legacy Weight and Balance Tool from Got Friends, you can see the lateral balance.   I put all the weight on the left side (passengers and fuel) of the 185, and it leaned left and wanted to roll that way also.  Weight on the right, lean and roll to the right.  So, I think some indicator of lateral CG should be built into MSFS 2024.