The stability of an aircraft is affected by the distribution of what?

The correct answer is that the stability of an aircraft is indeed affected by the distribution of its weight. The weight distribution influences the center of gravity (CG) of the aircraft, which is crucial for stability.

When the weight is evenly distributed, the aircraft maintains balance and responds predictably to control inputs. If the weight shifts, such as during cargo loading or fuel consumption, it can alter the center of gravity, potentially leading to changes in stability. For example, if the CG moves too far forward or aft, it can impact the aircraft's pitching moments, making it harder to control and maintain level flight.

Moreover, stability in an aircraft is largely classified into longitudinal, lateral, and directional stability, all of which are influenced by the position of the CG relative to the aerodynamic forces acting on the aircraft. Therefore, understanding the impact of weight distribution is essential for safe aircraft operation and design.

Other factors like speed, altitude, and design do have some effects on aircraft performance, but they do not directly determine the stability in the same fundamental way that weight and its distribution do.