What can happen if an airship is overly tail-heavy during flight?

An airship that is overly tail-heavy can indeed enter a nose-up attitude during flight. When the center of gravity moves towards the tail, the lift generated by the buoyancy of the gas inside the envelope can lead to an increased angle of attack of the aircraft's nose. This elevated position of the nose can cause a range of aerodynamic effects, including reduced control effectiveness and potential issues with stability.

In a nose-up attitude, the airship may experience an increased risk of stalling, especially if the angle of attack exceeds the critical point where airflow can no longer smoothly adhere to the surface of the envelope or control surfaces. As the lift vector becomes misaligned with the center of gravity, the control surfaces may become less effective at correcting the flight path, potentially leading to further complications in achieving desired maneuvers. Therefore, understanding the balancing of weight distribution is crucial for the safe and efficient operation of airships.