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If the airplane's CENTER OF GRAVITY is at the AFT limit, what flight characteristic should the pilot expect?

Choices

✓ Higher cruise speed and lower stall speed.correct
An aft CG gives a higher cruise speed and a lower stall speed, along with reduced longitudinal stability and lighter elevator forces. Aft CG: less tail-down force required → less induced drag → higher cruise speed; lower stall speed (less wing loading needed). BUT: reduced longitudinal stability (closer to neutral point), lighter elevator forces (less pull required for given AoA change), and harder stall recovery. Aft-of-limit CG can be uncontrollable. Forward CG = opposite (more stability, slower, higher stall speed).
Lower cruise speed and higher stall speed.
Reversed — aft CG gives lower stall speed and higher cruise speed.
Increased longitudinal stability.
Aft CG REDUCES stability.
No effect on flight characteristics.
CG significantly affects flight characteristics.

Why

An aft CG gives a higher cruise speed and a lower stall speed, along with reduced longitudinal stability and lighter elevator forces. Aft CG: less tail-down force required → less induced drag → higher cruise speed; lower stall speed (less wing loading needed). BUT: reduced longitudinal stability (closer to neutral point), lighter elevator forces (less pull required for given AoA change), and harder stall recovery. Aft-of-limit CG can be uncontrollable. Forward CG = opposite (more stability, slower, higher stall speed).

FAA source: PHAK Ch 10browse the reference library →

Covered in Supplemental · I — Preflight Preparation — study the lessons free, then practice with grading and mastery tracking.

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Original study question written for this course — representative of FAA knowledge-test topics, not an actual current FAA exam question. Reviewed by a panel of three CFIs + AI review.