What is the purpose of static balance during aircraft assembly?

The purpose of static balance during aircraft assembly is crucial for maintaining the safety and performance of the aircraft. Ensuring that the center of gravity is within the specified limits is essential because it directly affects the aircraft's stability and handling characteristics. Proper static balance helps to maintain the aircraft in a desired orientation in flight, ensuring that it behaves predictably during takeoff, flight, and landing.

If the center of gravity is not within the acceptable range, it can lead to undesirable flight characteristics, such as difficulty in controlling the aircraft or an increased likelihood of stalling. Keeping the center of gravity in the specified limits is therefore paramount for pilots to maintain control and ensure safe operation.

While aspects like aircraft speed, fuel consumption, and aesthetics are important considerations in aircraft design and performance, they do not relate specifically to the purpose of static balance during assembly, which is primarily focused on weight distribution and stability.