What does the term "lateral stability" refer to?

Lateral stability refers specifically to an aircraft's ability to maintain balance and proper alignment when subjected to disturbances or forces acting on its wings. This concept is crucial for the overall control and handling of the aircraft, particularly during turns, turbulence, or any asymmetrical loading that may cause one side of the aircraft to behave differently than the other.

In the context of lateral stability, the phrase "balance left and right wing loads" highlights how the aircraft is designed to respond to and correct any lateral imbalances. For instance, if one wing experiences increased lift due to wind or other factors, the aircraft's design helps it to stabilize and avoid rolling excessively in that direction. This stability is essential for smooth flight and assists the pilot in maintaining control without excessive corrective actions.

The other options address various aspects of aircraft dynamics but do not encompass the specific focus of lateral stability. While the ability to maintain a straight flight path and cope with altitude changes are crucial for overall flight characteristics, they speak more broadly to an aircraft's flight performance rather than the specialized concept of lateral stability.