What is used to determine the center of gravity in aircraft?

The determination of an aircraft's center of gravity (CG) is critical for maintaining safe and efficient flight characteristics. Weight and balance charts are specifically designed tools that provide necessary data for calculating the CG based on various loading configurations of the aircraft. These charts typically include the weight of the aircraft, as well as the location and weight of any additional load, such as passengers, cargo, and fuel. By using these charts, personnel can ensure that the aircraft is loaded correctly, which is essential for stability, control, and performance during flight.

While flight data records can provide important information about an aircraft's performance, they do not specifically address the CG. Fuel efficiency reports focus on the performance metrics related to fuel consumption and do not involve the calculation of weight distribution or CG. Pilot training manuals may include information on safe operating procedure, but they are not used for the technical calculations necessary for determining CG. Thus, weight and balance charts are the appropriate resource for accurately assessing and adjusting the aircraft's center of gravity.