Which action best supports safe weight and balance during ARM planning when a load is near the maximum limit?

• A. Increase fuel reserves
• B. Schedule additional missions
• C. Rebalance loads to stay within limits
• D. Use a load redistribution plan to ensure center of gravity remains within limits

Answer: (D)

When weight and balance margins are tight, the key is actively controlling where the mass sits in the aircraft. The best action is to implement a load redistribution plan to ensure the center of gravity remains within limits. By planning how heavy items, cargo, passengers, and ballast are located and how they’ll be moved as fuel is burned or loads change, you maintain the CG inside the approved envelope throughout the mission. This approach is precise, repeatable, and properly documented, which is essential for ARM planning.

Increase fuel reserves can unintentionally shift total weight and CG, potentially moving you toward or beyond the limits. Scheduling additional missions doesn’t address the current load distribution. Simply rebalancing without a formal plan may help, but without a structured method, you risk not maintaining the CG within limits across all phases of flight.