What is the term used to describe pitch stability?

The term that describes pitch stability is longitudinal stability. This concept refers to the aircraft's ability to maintain its position around the lateral axis, which runs from wingtip to wingtip. Essentially, longitudinal stability is concerned with how well the aircraft resists changes in pitch angle over time when subjected to disturbances.

When an aircraft has good longitudinal stability, if it is pitched up or down, it will naturally return to its original attitude without pilot intervention. This is achieved through the design of the tail surfaces, the distribution of mass, and the overall aerodynamic characteristics of the aircraft. The center of gravity also plays a crucial role in determining the level of longitudinal stability.

Understanding this concept is critical for pilots because it impacts the handling characteristics, control responses, and safety of flight operations. In contrast, directional stability pertains to yaw stability, lateral stability relates to roll behavior, and vertical stability does not exist as a defined stability category in aerodynamics.