What is neutral static stability?

• A. The initial tendency to return to the original state after disturbance
• B. The initial tendency of an aircraft to remain in a new condition after its equilibrium has been disturbed
• C. The tendency to move away from equilibrium after disturbance
• D. The ability to maintain altitude in steady flight

Answer: (B)

Static stability describes how the aircraft initially responds to a small disturbance. If there’s a tendency to return to the original attitude, that’s positive static stability. If there’s no tendency to return or diverge, and the aircraft simply stays in the disturbed state, that’s neutral static stability. If it tends to move further away from the original state, that’s negative static stability. The description that fits neutral static stability is the one stating the aircraft’s initial tendency is to remain in a new condition after its equilibrium has been disturbed. The other statements describe a return to the original state (positive stability), a continuing divergence away from the original state (negative stability), or an attribute not about stability itself (maintaining altitude in steady flight).