What impact does the center of gravity have on an aircraft?

The center of gravity (CG) of an aircraft plays a crucial role in influencing its stability and control during flight. When the CG is located in the correct position, typically toward the front of the aircraft, it enhances stability, allowing the aircraft to return to level flight after a disturbance. A well-placed CG enables the pilot to maintain control more easily, especially during maneuvers such as turns or changes in altitude.

Conversely, if the CG is too far forward or too far aft, it can result in significant control issues. An excessively forward CG may cause the aircraft to be nose-heavy, requiring higher control surface input to climb or turn, while a CG placed too far back can make the aircraft tail-heavy, leading to unwanted oscillations and difficulty in recovery from stalls.

Given this understanding, the correct answer highlights the center of gravity's essential role in affecting the stability and control of flight, which directly impacts how an aircraft handles in various flight conditions.