The total mass of the helicopter can be said to act through one point called Centre of Gravity (CG). During any phase of operation, the Centre of Gravity (CG) shall comply with the limitations specified in the AFM, or the operations manual, if more restrictive.

1. A forward CG results in a nose-down fuselage attitude, which presents the horizontal stabiliser to the airflow at an inefficient angle, increasing its profile drag and aerodynamic load, producing an even greater downforce.

The helicopter trying to counteract the increased drag and the increased stabiliser's downforce, will demand more thrust and power, thus decreasing its range (total distance covered) and endurance (total airborne time).

Thus, a forward CG decreases helicopter's performance.

2. An aft CG will reduce drag, the stabiliser will be less loaded, thus the range and endurance will increase. However, with aft CG, the forward cyclic required for high speed thrust is more, increasing the bending moment on the rotor mast.

Thus, in total, an aft CG increases helicopter's performance.