Private Pilot License (PPL) Aerodynamics Practice Exam

An airplane described as inherently stable will:

1. Require more effort to control

2. Require less effort to control

3. Be harder to land

4. Have a higher stall speed

The correct answer is: Require less effort to control

An inherently stable airplane is one that is designed to naturally return to its original flight configuration after a disturbance, such as turbulence or control inputs. This stability is achieved through aerodynamics, shapes, and weight distribution, which work together to minimize any unintended changes in flight attitude. When a pilot applies control inputs, the airplane will eventually return to its neutral point without excessive manual input. As a result, it requires less effort to maintain level flight or recover from disturbances. Pilots of inherently stable aircraft experience a smoother flying experience, as they do not need to constantly adjust control inputs to keep the aircraft in stable flight. In summary, an inherently stable airplane allows for easier and more forgiving handling characteristics, which translates to less physical effort required from the pilot during flight.