FAA Ground School Practice Test

Flying with an improper center of gravity (CG) loading can significantly affect the aircraft's handling characteristics and overall safety. When the CG is outside the recommended range, particularly if it is too far aft, it can lead to difficulty in recovering from stalls. This is because an aft CG can make the aircraft more prone to pitch up, thus decreasing the effectiveness of the controls and increasing the risk of a stall at a higher airspeed.

An aircraft that is tail-heavy (aft CG) may exhibit reduced control authority, making it harder for the pilot to maneuver effectively in critical situations like a stall. This impaired control can lead to prolonged periods of unresponsiveness and can complicate the recovery process, as the pilot may struggle to push the nose down and regain controlled flight.

On the other hand, having a forward CG can result in improved stability but might lead to increased drag and, thus, higher fuel consumption, aside from making the aircraft feel more sluggish in response. An improper CG does not improve climb rates or control response; rather, it adversely affects the aircraft's performance characteristics and increases risk, especially during challenging flying scenarios.