If a helicopter is improperly loaded with a center of gravity (CG) forward of forward limits, what is a likely outcome?

When a helicopter's center of gravity (CG) is positioned forward of its forward limits, it can significantly affect the handling characteristics of the aircraft. A forward CG tends to make the helicopter nose-heavy, which affects how the pilot controls the aircraft.

In this scenario, because the helicopter is nose-heavy, the pilot will need to exert considerable rearward force on the cyclic control in order to maintain level flight. This excessive rearward displacement of the cyclic is necessary to counteract the natural tendency of the helicopter to pitch down due to the forward CG. Hence, the required adjustment indicates that the helicopter's balance is compromised and demands more effort from the pilot to maintain stability and control.

This situation can lead to difficulties in hovering and other maneuvers, highlighting the importance of proper loading and CG management in helicopter operations.