[Zman516]

Point is, in conventionally-configured aircraft (like -51 platform) the “horizontal stabilizer” (to give its correct name ) “flies down” ! That is it applies force in 180’ opposition to the aerodynamic forces from the main plain, (i.e. wing) ! Suddenly remove this force and the aircraft “pitches over “ i.e. noses “down” from the pilot’s viewpoint.

The wings (obviously) provide lift at approx. the aircraft's center of gravity. The horizonal stabilizer does just that -- stabilizes the aircraft's pitch. The elevators provide the up or down movement to the tailplane to cause the nose (and angle of attack) to go up or down, according to the pilot's wishes. i.e., the pilot pulls back the stick, the elevators move up, pushing the tail down which rotates the nose up. (pitch rotates about the center of gravity)

[PiperShade]

A small, but important, thing .

[Zm] “....(pitch rotates about the center of gravity)....”

The pitch axis is the center of pressure, (i.e. “lift”)! I’ve listened to old Wofgang Langwichie, (sp ? ) too many times expounding on this subject to have forgotten it ! [grin] Seriously, Wolfgang is the author of the seminal aviation work “Stick and Rudder”. He was also a habitue of the same airport cafe back in my “airport bum” days !

FWIW Max Conrad used to load his Piper Commanche outside the aft CG limit for his epic distance flights to reduce “trim drag”.

What does any of this have to do with events at Reno ? I suspect damn little ! [grin] >PS