Private Pilot Private Exam

Loading an airplane to the most aft center of gravity will affect the airplane's stability how?

1. It makes the airplane more stable at low speeds

2. It has no effect on stability

3. It makes the airplane less stable at all speeds

4. It increases stability during climbs

The correct answer is: It makes the airplane less stable at all speeds

Loading an airplane to the most aft center of gravity significantly affects its stability because it decreases the airplane's overall stability in flight. An aft center of gravity can lead to a condition where the aircraft is more prone to pitch oscillations and may have difficulty recovering from certain flight maneuvers. When the center of gravity shifts towards the tail of the aircraft, the moment arm between the center of gravity and the aerodynamic center decreases. This can result in a reduced authority of the control surfaces, particularly during low-speed flight or abrupt maneuvers. Essentially, the aircraft becomes less forgiving to control inputs, making it more susceptible to stalling or even entering a spin. In addition, a less stable aircraft may exhibit more pronounced sensitivity to pitch changes caused by control inputs or by external factors like turbulence, making it inherently more challenging to fly safely. Thus, loading the airplane towards the aft center of gravity compromises stability across all phases of flight, including during climbs, descents, and turns.