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Loading an airplane to the most aft CG will cause the airplane to be:

  1. More stable at all speeds

  2. Less stable at all speeds

  3. Equally stable regardless of speed

  4. More fuel efficient

The correct answer is: Less stable at all speeds

Loading an airplane to the most aft center of gravity (CG) results in decreased stability during flight. The CG is the point at which the weight of the aircraft is balanced and it significantly affects the aircraft's handling characteristics. When the CG is located further aft, it can lead to a condition known as "dynamic stability." In practical terms, if the CG is too far to the back, the aircraft will become overly sensitive to control inputs, making it harder to maintain level flight and more difficult to recover from disturbances such as turbulence. This reduced stability can lead to a higher likelihood of entering a stall condition, where the wings are no longer generating sufficient lift. Furthermore, an aft CG can negatively impact the aircraft's ability to pitch effectively, complicating maneuvers and requiring more precise handling. While an aircraft may perform differently at various speeds with an aft CG, the general principle remains that the overall stability is compromised. Therefore, loading an airplane to the most aft CG indeed makes it less stable at all speeds.