The flight paths and attitudes in which an airplane can fly are limited only by the aerodynamic characteristics

of the airplane, its propulsive system, and its structural strength. These limitations indicate the maximum performance and manoeuvrability of the airplane. If the airplane is to provide maximum utility, it must be safely controllable to the full extent of these limits without exceeding the pilot's strength or requiring exceptional flying ability. If an airplane is to fly straight and steady along any arbitrary flight path, the forces acting on it must be in static equilibrium. The reaction of any body when its equilibrium is disturbed is referred to as stability. There are two types of stability; static and dynamic. Static stability is defined as the initial tendency that the airplane displays after being disturbed from its trimmed condition. Occasionally, the initial tendency is different or opposite from the overall tendency, so we must distinguish between the two. Dynamic stability is the overall tendency that the airplane displays after its equilibrium is disturbed. Longitudinal stability is the quality which makes an airplane stable about its lateral axis. It involves the pitching motion as the airplane's nose moves up and down in flight. Stability about the airplane's longitudinal axis, which extends form nose to tail, is called lateral stability. Static longitudinal stability or instability in an airplane is dependent upon three factors: 1. Location of the wing with respect to the centre of gravity; 2. Location of the horizontal tail surfaces with respect to the centre of gravity; 3. The area or size of the tail surfaces.

Longitudinal stability

Stability about the airplane's longitudinal axis, which extends form nose to tail, is called lateral stability. This helps to stabilize the lateral or rolling effect when one wing gets lower than the wing on the opposite side of the airplane. There are four main design factors which make an airplane stable laterally 1. 2. 3. 4. dihedral, keel effect, sweepback, and weight distribution.

Lateral Stability