What is the effect of the center of gravity being outside its approved range?

• A. It can cause instability and adverse handling characteristics, affecting stability, control, and performance
• B. It improves fuel efficiency
• C. It has no effect on flight characteristics
• D. It reduces drag to zero

Answer: (A)

Center of gravity position directly affects how stable and controllable an airplane will be. When the CG is outside the approved range, the aircraft’s longitudinal stability is no longer within the designed limits, so handling becomes unpredictable. If the CG is too far aft, the airplane tends to be less stable and more responsive to disturbances, making it easier to overcontrol or enter unusual attitudes. If the CG is too far forward, stability increases but elevator authority is reduced, making pitch control harder, especially during takeoff, landing, or in gusty conditions. In either case, stability, control, and overall performance are degraded, which is why being outside the approved CG range leads to instability and adverse handling characteristics. Claims of improved fuel efficiency or zero drag aren’t supported by how CG affects flight dynamics, and saying there’s no effect ignores the real impact on stability and control.