What prevents uncommanded attitude changes due to fuel movement in large transport aircraft tanks?

• A. Float valves
• B. Baffles in the fuel tanks
• C. Winglets
• D. Autopilot yaw dampers

Answer: (B)

Fuel movement inside large aircraft tanks can cause the airplane to respond unpredictably to maneuvers because the moving liquid shifts the center of gravity and interacts with the aircraft’s dynamic response. Baffles are internal walls placed inside the tanks that subdivide the fuel into smaller portions and damp bulk flow. This greatly reduces the free-surface effect and the energy of slosh, keeping the mass distribution steadier as the aircraft pitches, rolls, or changes speed. That directly prevents uncommanded attitude changes caused by fuel shifting.

Float valves relate to fuel quantity sensing or tank venting, not to damping liquid motion. Winglets improve aerodynamic efficiency, not internal fuel behavior. Autopilot yaw dampers aid stability in yaw, but they don’t address the root cause of attitude changes from fuel slosh inside the tanks.