Which combination yields the highest stall speed?

Which combination yields the highest stall speed?

• A. High weight and forward CG
• B. Low weight and aft CG
• C. High weight and aft CG
• D. Low weight and forward CG

Answer: (A)

Stall speed is mainly driven by weight: the heavier the airplane, the higher the speed needed for the wing to generate enough lift to support it. The center of gravity position also influences how the airplane behaves in pitch and how much tail-down force the tail must produce to balance the nose-to-tail moment. A forward center of gravity increases the tail-down force required to maintain level flight, which in turn raises the lift the wing must provide to stay level at a given airspeed. That combination—high weight plus forward CG—pushed the airplane to reach the stall at a higher airspeed than any other arrangement. Lower weight or a more aft CG reduces that requirement, lowering the stall speed.

Stall speed is mainly driven by weight: the heavier the airplane, the higher the speed needed for the wing to generate enough lift to support it. The center of gravity position also influences how the airplane behaves in pitch and how much tail-down force the tail must produce to balance the nose-to-tail moment. A forward center of gravity increases the tail-down force required to maintain level flight, which in turn raises the lift the wing must provide to stay level at a given airspeed. That combination—high weight plus forward CG—pushed the airplane to reach the stall at a higher airspeed than any other arrangement. Lower weight or a more aft CG reduces that requirement, lowering the stall speed.