Why does stall recovery become more difficult with an aft center of gravity?

An aft center of gravity can significantly reduce the effectiveness of the elevator, which is critical for controlling the pitch of the aircraft. When the center of gravity is positioned toward the rear, the aircraft needs to maintain a higher angle of attack to achieve the same level of lift. This can lead to a situation where the elevator is unable to produce enough control authority to recover from a stall effectively.

Aft loading can also diminish the control response because the aircraft may exhibit increased stability in pitch but decreased maneuverability. During a stall recovery, the pilot needs to push the nose down, and if the elevator is less effective, this action can be harder to execute. This creates a situation where recovering from a stall—which often requires prompt and precise control inputs—can become more challenging due to the reduced pitch control authority, making it critical for pilots to understand and manage the effects of weight and balance on their aircraft's performance.

In this context, while the other options touch on important aspects of aerodynamics and aircraft performance, they do not specifically address the critical role of elevator effectiveness in stall recovery related to the aircraft's center of gravity.