What effect does loading an airplane towards the rear of its CG range typically have?

Loading an airplane towards the rear of its center of gravity (CG) range can lead to instability about the lateral axis. When the CG is positioned rearward, the aircraft experiences a shift in its aerodynamic characteristics. This can reduce the moment arm needed for effective pitch control, leading to a flight condition where the airplane becomes less forgiving to pitch inputs.

As the CG moves aft, the control authority of the horizontal stabilizer diminishes. This means that the aircraft may be more prone to entering a nose-up attitude, making it harder to recover from certain maneuvers, especially in turbulence or during stall conditions. An unstable aircraft about the lateral axis can present challenges in maintaining level flight and responding predictably to pilot inputs.

While the other options suggest various impacts on control response, they do not address the primary issue with a rearward center of gravity, which is the instability about the lateral axis that can result from this loading condition. In the context of aircraft stability and control, understanding the impact of CG positioning is crucial for safe flight operations.