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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/pilot-forward-cg-flare

What landing-control problem can an excessively forward center of gravity cause?

It can make the airplane difficult or impossible to flare.

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  1. Difficulty raising the nose ✔
  2. Uncommanded gear retraction
  3. Loss of rudder authority only

Why: A forward center of gravity makes the airplane nose-heavy and increases the elevator force needed to raise the nose. In an extreme case, there may not be enough authority to flare.

Huh, didn't know that: Forward center of gravity also produces higher control forces.

The dad joke
The nose-heavy airplane was always getting ahead of itself.
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References

Answer: Difficulty raising the nose. A forward center of gravity makes the airplane nose-heavy and increases the elevator force needed to raise the nose. In an extreme case, there may not be enough authority to flare.

  1. FAA Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, Chapter 10 www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/12_phak_ch10.pdf
    making it difficult or impossible to flare for landing
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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