If an aircraft has a tendency to return to level flight, what type of stability does it exhibit?

An aircraft that has a tendency to return to level flight exhibits positive static stability. This concept refers to the initial reaction of the aircraft to a disturbance from its equilibrium or level flight position. In cases of positive static stability, when an external force or disturbance causes the aircraft to pitch or roll away from level flight, it naturally tends to return to that original position.

For instance, if turbulence causes an aircraft to nose down, positive static stability means the aircraft will seek to return to its level flight attitude rather than continue to descend indefinitely. This characteristic is crucial for ensuring that the aircraft’s response is predictable and stable, granting pilots more control during flight.

Dynamic stability, on the other hand, involves the aircraft’s behavior over time after a disturbance and doesn't necessarily affect its immediate return to level flight. Negative static stability indicates that the aircraft moves further away from its original position instead of returning, while neutral stability means that the aircraft remains in a new position after a disturbance without a tendency to return to or move away from the original position. Therefore, the correct answer reflects the stability characteristic that supports a safe and controllable flight experience.