Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of lateral stability?

Lateral stability in aircraft refers to the ability of the aircraft to maintain level flight or to return to a stable condition after a disturbance, such as a side slip. This characteristic is crucial for the safe handling of the aircraft during various flight maneuvers.

The correct answer indicates that an aircraft's operation without any aileron input is indeed NOT a characteristic of lateral stability. Ailerons are essential control surfaces used to manage lateral control, allowing the pilot to modify the aircraft's bank angle and thus influence its lateral stability. When an aircraft is disturbed and enters a side slip, the aileron input becomes necessary to correct the bank angle and return the aircraft to stable flight.

In contrast, the other characteristics work to enhance lateral stability. For instance, the ability to recover from a side slip signifies that the aircraft has sufficient lateral stability to regain its intended flight path without excessive pilot intervention. Additionally, a greater dihedral angle of the wings contributes to lateral stability by enhancing the tendency of the aircraft to return to level flight after a roll. Moreover, smooth turns without excessive banking further illustrate lateral stability, as they indicate that the aircraft can maintain a coordinated flight path with minimal pilot effort.

This understanding of lateral stability illustrates the importance of ailerons and