What are the two types of stability that can be identified in aircraft?

Study for the Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) Checkride Test with multiple choice questions and detailed explanations. Prepare confidently for your exam now!

The correct answer identifies the two types of aircraft stability as Static and Dynamic.

Static stability refers to the initial response of an aircraft when it is displaced from its equilibrium position. If an aircraft returns to its original position following a disturbance, it is considered to have positive static stability. Conversely, if it continues to deviate further away from its original position, it exhibits negative static stability.

Dynamic stability, on the other hand, describes the behavior of the aircraft over time after it has been disturbed. An aircraft may initially return toward its original position, indicating good static stability, but if it oscillates continuously or goes into a spiral or diverging motion, it lacks effective dynamic stability. The distinction between these two types of stability is crucial for understanding how an aircraft behaves during various flight conditions and how it can be controlled by the pilot.

The other options, while related to different concepts in aviation, do not accurately categorize the types of stability in an aircraft. Longitudinal and lateral stability refer to specific axes of stability but do not encompass the overall static and dynamic stability concepts. Positive and negative stability are characteristics that fall under static stability. Visual and instrument are terms used to describe flight conditions and navigation methods rather than stability types.

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