Which statement about forward center of gravity and stability is true?

Which statement about forward center of gravity and stability is true?

• A. A forward CG generally increases longitudinal stability but makes pitch control less responsive.
• B. A forward CG reduces stability and makes pitch control more sensitive.
• C. A forward CG has no effect on stability.
• D. A forward CG always improves climb performance.

Answer: (A)

Moving the center of gravity forward increases static longitudinal stability. With a forward CG, the aircraft has a stronger restoring tendency when its nose pitches up or down, so it resists pitch disturbances more. But that same forward position reduces elevator effectiveness, so pitching the nose up or down requires more control input and the response is less maneuverable. The other statements don’t fit because a forward CG does affect stability (it makes it more stable, not neutral), it doesn’t simultaneously reduce stability and make pitch control more sensitive, and it doesn’t guarantee better climb performance—climb performance depends on multiple factors, including weight, thrust, and elevator authority.

Moving the center of gravity forward increases static longitudinal stability. With a forward CG, the aircraft has a stronger restoring tendency when its nose pitches up or down, so it resists pitch disturbances more. But that same forward position reduces elevator effectiveness, so pitching the nose up or down requires more control input and the response is less maneuverable. The other statements don’t fit because a forward CG does affect stability (it makes it more stable, not neutral), it doesn’t simultaneously reduce stability and make pitch control more sensitive, and it doesn’t guarantee better climb performance—climb performance depends on multiple factors, including weight, thrust, and elevator authority.