Does an aft CG increase performance? Before you go throwing everything possible into the baggage compartment, consider this: while
having an aft CG definitely improves performance
, in most light aircraft, the difference in will be a few extra knots of airspeed, and a little better climb rate.
How does aft CG affect performance?
The aft CG limit is the most rearward position at which the CG can be located for the most critical maneuver or operation. As the CG moves aft, a less stable condition occurs, which
decreases the ability of the aircraft to right itself after maneuvering or turbulence
.
Why does performance increase with aft CG?
The aircraft cruises faster with an aft CG location because of
reduced drag
. The drag is reduced because a smaller AOA and less downward deflection of the stabilizer are required to support the aircraft and overcome the nose-down pitching tendency. The aircraft becomes less stable as the CG is moved rearward.
Is it better to have forward or aft CG?
Does an aft CG increase stall speed?
As the CG moves rearward, less tail-down force is required and
the stalling speed decreases
. However, moving a CG too far aft reduces pitch stability. Less tail-down force with an aft CG also means less tail trim drag, resulting in higher cruising airspeed and better fuel efficiency.
Why forward cg increase stall speed?
The only way to continue level flight is to increase angle of attack in order to increase lift – that means that for the same aircraft weight,
a forward C.G. will cause you to fly at a higher angle of attack and thus closer to the critical angle of attack
, and therefore you increase the stall speed.
What is the performance benefit of an aft CG on a large passenger airliner?
The main benefit of operating with an aft CG, as mentioned, is that it can measurably
reduce drag
. This happens because less tail down force is required to maintain level flight in a given configuration.
What happens if CG is too far forward?
During landing, one of the most critical phases of flight, exceeding the forward CG limit may result in
excessive loads on the nosewheel, a tendency to nose over on tailwheel type airplanes, decreased performance, higher stalling speeds, and higher control forces
.
How does moving CG affect takeoff and en route performance?
Center of Gravity:
The farther forward the CG the longer the takeoff roll
.
More authority is required to lift a heavy nose
. This can be amplified with heavy takeoff weight. As CG moves forward, the difference between nose-wheel lift-off and takeoff speed decreases.
What is an adverse aerodynamic effect of CG that is forward or aft of CG limits?
Just as when it’s aft, a forward CG presents important aerodynamic issues, which can adversely affect
rate of climb, cruise airspeed, stall speed, fuel burn rate and airplane handling characteristics
.
Which CG is more stable?
This positive stability is what makes the airplane stable;
the further forward the CG, the more stable the airplane becomes
. Conversely, as the CG moves rearward theres less fuselage and tail located aft of the center of gravity, and less tendency to weathervane itself out of pitch and yaw excursions when deflected.
Where should center of lift be?
CG: Your Airplane’s Balancing Act
Lift acts upward from your wing, at a point called the center of lift. And the center of lift is always
aft of your CG
(as long as you are within your aircraft’s CG limits).
How does CG affect spins?
The CG position, therefore, has a significant effect on stability and stall/spin recovery.
As the CG is moved aft, the amount of elevator deflection needed to stall the airplane at a given load factor will be reduced
. An increased AOA will be achieved with less elevator control force.
What increases stall speed?
(4) well defines the factors affecting the stall speed, in summary; aircraft weight, air density, maximum lift coefficient, and the load factor. Stall speed is proportional with the aircraft weight. Stall speed increases,
as the weight increases
; and decreases as the weight decreases.
Why do flaps lower stall speed?
Reduced Stall Speed With Flaps
Extending flaps reduces your aircraft’s stall speed for a fairly simple reason.
Because your wing creates more lift with the flaps down, you don’t need as much angle-of-attack to balance the four forces of flight
.
Does center of lift change?
The total aerodynamic force can be considered to act through the centre of pressure and can be resolved into its two components, lift and drag.
The centre of pressure does not remain in a constant location
. As the angle of attack changes, the local pressure at every point on the aerofoil also changes.
How does CG affect longitudinal stability?
For any conventional airplane,
the location of the CG has the strongest influence on static longitudinal stability
. For a statically stable airplane the required column force, as speed varies from the trimmed condition, is less at an aft CG than it is at a forward CG.
Does stall speed increase with altitude?
How does center of gravity affect flight?
Does weight distribution matter on planes?
Yes, a weight and balance issue can be more critical on smaller airplane
because a even a small error accounts for a larger percentage of the total weight. A 500-lb. error on an airplane that weighs 5,000 lbs., adds up to a larger percentage of the total weight.
What are some characteristics of an airplane loaded with the CG at the aft limit?
b. The aft CG provides the
lowest stalling speed, the highest cruising speed, and least stability
. An aircraft is loaded with the CG aft of the aft limit.
Under which condition is forward cg most critical?
“Forward CG is most critical
during landing
. If it is too far forward, the elevators may not have enough power to get the tail down for a proper approach and flare.”
What effect would moving a payload further aft have on a fixed wing aircraft’s flight performance?
Why is center of gravity important to an aircraft?
In an aeroplane, the centre of gravity (CG) is the point at which the aircraft would balance were it possible to suspend it at that point. As the location of the centre of gravity
affects the stability of the aircraft
, it must fall within specified limits that are established by the aircraft manufacturer.
Should center of lift be behind center of mass?
the center of lift should be just behind the center of mass
. if it is too far forward you will flip upwards and too far back and you will flip downwards.
Is center of lift same as center of pressure?
Center of pressure of an aircraft is the point where the Lift acts
. Aerodynamic center is the point in the wing where the pitching moments are constant.
Why is center of lift behind center of mass?
What happens aerodynamically during a stall?
A stall is a condition in aerodynamics and aviation such that
if the angle of attack increases beyond a certain point, then lift begins to decrease
. The angle at which this occurs is called the critical angle of attack.
What happens to stall speed during a turn?
Why do planes stall when flying straight up?
What is an adverse aerodynamic effect of CG that is forward or aft of CG limits?
Just as when it’s aft, a forward CG presents important aerodynamic issues, which can adversely affect
rate of climb, cruise airspeed, stall speed, fuel burn rate and airplane handling characteristics
.
