Changing the Centre of Gravity

[Guest 747-400 luva]

HiCan anyone help me and tell me how I can change the centre of gravity of an aircraft. Please helpThanksEvan

[Guest Gary Buska]

In reality you can not change the center of gravity on any plane as it is part of the design process, however every aircraft has a aircraft cfg file and inside of that file you will find a weight and balance section like below[WEIGHT_AND_BALANCE]max_gross_weight = 2095 // (pounds)empty_weight = 1345 // (pounds)reference_datum_position = 1.8, 0, 0 // (feet) distance from FlightSim Reference position, which is: (1/4 chord, centerline, waterline)empty_weight_CG_position = -1.4, 0, 0 // (feet) longitudinal, lateral, vertical distance from specified datummax_number_of_stations = 50station_load.0 = 170, -5.9, 0.0, 0.0 //Weight(lbs), longitudinal, lateral, vertical positions from datum (feet)station_name.0 = "Pilot" ;Moments of Inertiaempty_weight_pitch_MOI = 717empty_weight_roll_MOI = 395empty_weight_yaw_MOI = 856empty_weight_coupled_MOI = 0.0Notice the line empty_weight_CG_position by altering the numbers in this line can have a effect on a aircraft. I have to caution you changing numbers can have a adverse effect. What ever you do make a copy of the original file before you alter it.

[Guest jshyluk]

Or are you simply discussing the loading of an aircraft with fuel and passengers? FSX has a simple calculator that lets you set the amount of fuel and passenger weight in your aircraft, in the FUEL menu. As you change numbers, a crosshair on a picture of an aircraft will move, indicating visually how the change in weight will affect your aircraft.You can do stuff like load up the pilot's side with fuel and 600-lb passengers and leave the co-pilot's side empty, and see what happens. It's not a very detailed system, though. Jeff ShylukAssistant Managing EditorSenior Staff ReviewerAVSIM