This is the tendency of an aircraft to return to equilibrium after a disturbance
What is static stability?
This type of stability refers to nose-up/nose-down motions
What is longitudinal stability?
This dimensionless parameter determines longitudinal static stability.
What is the static margin?)
An aircraft that continues to diverge after a disturbance is said to have this.
What is static instability?
If an airplane returns to level flight after a gust, it has this type of static stability.
What is positive static stability?
This type of aircraft (e.g., drones) often requires artificial stability augmentation
What are UAVs or tailless aircraft?
A sudden upward gust can test this type of static stability.
What is pitch stability?
Fly-by-wire systems allow modern fighters to operate with this type of static stability
What is negative static stability?
Flying in this turbulent condition may require extra static stability margins
What is a thunderstorm or mountain wave?
This 1930s aircraft had poor longitudinal stability, leading to deadly spins.
What is the Boeing 247 or early DC-2?
Moving this too far forward can make an aircraft overly stable but hard to maneuver.
What is the CG?