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GATE 2025 AE – Question 23

Flight Mechanics & Space Dynamics · Static stability: stability and control derivatives, longitudinal, directional and lateral stability, hinge moments and stick forces · 1 mark · Multiple choice

For a general aviation airplane, which one of the following has a destabilizing effect on its static roll stability?

  1. Wing with a positive dihedral angle
  2. Fuselage with a high wing
  3. Fuselage with a low wing
  4. Swept back wing

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Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: (C) Fuselage with a low wing

Explanation

Positive dihedral, a high wing (the fuselage flow adds a dihedral effect) and wing sweepback all make the roll stability better. A low wing on the fuselage gives a negative dihedral effect, which is destabilizing.