Which factor does not directly influence CG position?

• A. Payload weight distribution along the fuselage
• B. Fuel load distribution
• C. Wing dihedral angle
• D. Total aircraft weight

Answer: (C)

Center of gravity is the balance point of the airplane, determined by how the aircraft’s mass is distributed along the longitudinal axis. It’s found from the mass moments: CG equals the sum of (weight × distance from a reference) divided by the total weight. Any change in where mass sits will shift that balance point.

Payload weight distribution along the fuselage directly changes the moments: moving payload forward or aft moves the arm of that weight and thus shifts the CG. Fuel load distribution also changes the CG because fuel mass isn’t all at one spot and may move with the wing tanks, altering the moments. The total weight matters in the calculation because CG is a ratio that includes the total weight in the denominator; changing how much weight is carried at different locations will move the CG, whereas simply adding weight in the same proportions won’t move it.

Wing dihedral angle is a geometric feature of the wing’s shape that affects stability and flight characteristics, not where the mass is located. Since CG depends on the physical distribution of mass, dihedral angle does not directly influence the CG position.