Why is the location of the CG critical for an aircraft?

The location of the center of gravity (CG) is critical for an aircraft primarily because it directly influences the aircraft's stability and responsiveness during flight. The CG affects how the aircraft reacts to control inputs and environmental forces.

When the CG is positioned within the specified limits, the aircraft maintains balanced flight and is more responsive to the pilot's commands, resulting in a more stable and controlled flight. If the CG is too far forward or too far aft, it can lead to adverse flying characteristics, such as difficulty in controlling the aircraft or susceptibility to stalling. For instance, a forward CG may require more control surface input to maintain level flight, while an aft CG can make the aircraft less stable and potentially lead to a loss of control.

This understanding of the CG's impact on stability and responsiveness is crucial for safe aircraft operation and is a key consideration during aircraft design, weight and balance calculations, and flight planning.