Which performance characteristic is negatively impacted by an aft CG in aircraft?

• A. Stalling speed increases.
• B. Stability decreases.
• C. Cruising speed improves.
• D. Weight limitation increases.

Answer: (B)

An aft center of gravity (CG) configuration adversely affects the stability of an aircraft. The center of gravity is the point at which the total weight of the aircraft is balanced; when the CG is located towards the rear, or aft, it can shift the handling characteristics significantly.

In this situation, a more aft CG generally reduces the aircraft's static longitudinal stability. This means that the aircraft may become less effective in returning to level flight after being disturbed, such as during turbulence or when the pilot makes control inputs. Pilots may experience difficulty managing the aircraft in pitch, as it may require more focus and control inputs to maintain a steady attitude.

In summary, when the CG is too far aft, the aircraft can become overly sensitive to pitch control and might behave unpredictably, which is why stability is negatively impacted in this configuration.