How can a pilot determine if an aircraft is overloaded?

The correct method for determining if an aircraft is overloaded involves checking weight and balance calculations prior to flight. This process requires pilots to calculate the total weight of the aircraft, including the pilot, passengers, cargo, and fuel, and then compare it to the aircraft's maximum takeoff weight as specified in the operating handbook. Additionally, it is essential to ensure that the center of gravity (CG) is within specified limits for safe operation. This careful pre-flight evaluation allows pilots to confirm that the aircraft is loaded within safe operating parameters, which is critical for performance, handling, and safety.

While visual inspections can provide insights into an aircraft's condition, they do not accurately reflect whether the aircraft is overloaded. Fuel gauges can indicate fuel levels, but they do not account for the total weight of the aircraft relative to its maximum limits. Assessing flying characteristics during flight may give clues about performance issues, but it is too late to take corrective action regarding weight and balance at that stage. Therefore, only careful calculation prior to flight provides the definitive information needed to ensure safe loading of the aircraft.