FAA Private Pilot Airplane (PAR)Performance, Weight and BalanceMedium
An airplane is loaded with its CG near or beyond the aft loading limit. Which characteristic is this airplane most likely to exhibit?
- ADecreased longitudinal stability and reduced ability to recover from a stall
- BLower stall speed with improved spin recovery characteristics
- CNo change in stability but an increased stall speed
- DIncreased longitudinal stability and easier stall recovery
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Decreased longitudinal stability and reduced ability to recover from a stall
An aft CG reduces the elevator's nose-down authority and decreases longitudinal stability, making the airplane less resistant to pitch disturbances and harder to recover from a stall or spin.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Aft CG loading actually degrades, not improves, spin recovery.
- C. Aft CG does affect stability, and stall speed is typically slightly lower, not higher.
- D. Aft CG decreases, rather than increases, longitudinal stability.
Aft CG Effects
An aft-loaded CG reduces longitudinal stability and elevator authority, making stall and spin recovery more difficult.
- Aft CG reduces nose-down pitching moment available
- Stability decreases as CG moves aft
- Stall recovery becomes more difficult with aft CG
Memory trick: Aft CG, less stable, harder to save.