Aft CG loading is certainly preferred for fuel saving in cruise with many aircraft, my present type included.
Interesting to note, that during certification testing of a new design, a stab trim normal zone (for takeoff) is determined, for all CG locations.
Pretty standard stuff.
However, there is one civil jet transport airplane that, while having a normal CG range for takeoff, it was found that, during certification testing, pole forces were reasonable with just about any CG location, for rotation.
This was primarily due to the stab design....the pilots column moves the entire horizontal stab assembly, not just the elevators.
A quite unique design, and found on only one civil jet type....TriStar.
Lockheed....nothing finer