Question

Which of the following is correct?

(a) Aircraft static longitudinal stability will be dependent upon the arrangement of different components

(b) Lift is always same as weight

(c) Static stability is similar to dynamic stability

(d) All the aircrafts are statistically stable

This question was addressed to me by my college professor while I was bunking the class.

This question is from Stick-Free Stability topic in section Stability, Control, and Handling Qualities of Aircraft Design

Answer 1

Correct option is (a) Aircraft static longitudinal stability will be dependent upon the arrangement of different components

Explanation: Static longitudinal stability of aircraft will be dependent upon the arrangement of different components such as wing placements, tail location etc. At cruise condition or at trim position lift will be same as weight. Static stability and dynamic stability are different. System can be statically stable but that doesn’t mean that the system is dynamically stable as well.