AerodynamicsStability and Control
Longitudinal Stability
Longitudinal stability is the inherent tendency of an aircraft to return to its original trimmed pitch attitude after being displaced by a disturbance, such as a gust. It involves motion about the lateral axis and is heavily dependent on the tailplane moment and the position of the centre of gravity.
Key Points
- •Governs the aircraft's stability and behaviour in pitch.
- •Determined primarily by the position of the centre of gravity relative to the centre of pressure.
- •An aft centre of gravity significantly reduces longitudinal stability, making the aircraft dangerously pitch-sensitive.
Exam Relevance
A foundational concept for loading and performance planning, frequently tested in the context of how aft or forward loading affects aircraft handling.
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