Airline Transport Pilot Written Knowledge Practice Test

When the center of gravity (CG) is positioned aft, it significantly impacts the handling characteristics of the aircraft, particularly during stall recovery. An aft CG results in decreased longitudinal stability, meaning the aircraft is more prone to pitch up. This is critical during a stall situation as it requires more control input to recover.

In addition, with an aft CG, the aircraft will tend to have a higher angle of attack before it stalls, which can lead to more severe stall conditions. Recovery from a stall can become challenging because the aircraft may not respond effectively to control inputs. Pilots may find it harder to lower the nose and regain airspeed, which is essential for recovery. This effect reduces the overall control effectiveness and can lead to a tendency for the aircraft to remain in a stalled condition longer than it would with a CG more forward.

In contrast, a forward CG generally contributes to enhanced stability and makes stall recovery more manageable, as the aircraft will naturally want to return to a neutral or slightly nose-down attitude when control inputs are released.