Both of you with speed are right for correcting CG. However it will only influence lift for a small amount compare using the other solution given by BMatthews. The aircraft will still be light.

This kind of aircraft can be able to land at almost zero speed if I'm not mistaken. The prop wash to the tail actually help the aircraft to be in control at lower speed. Considering w/o prop wash as for analysis but with the present of thrust, forward CG will help the plane to descend at landing configuration, it will also recover itself if the plane stall or engine quits with enough altitude. Reality there's prop wash that helps to be ahead of stalling the tail. So far I don't see any behavior from OP that the tail stall first prior to the wings which is the limitation.

If it's really needed I'll show you here later on how CG helps and by using BMatthews advice will have the best result as far as landing problem is concern. For the mean time check this diagram, it will explain why both of you are correct.


It was my approximation for determining differences between a neutral CG and nose heavy I used on takeoff analysis. The neutral CG has the shortest distance while nose heavy has longer one and faster takeoff speed. I check their differences with regards to lift factor and found out that since we don't have airspeed indicator to determine actual speed, by using elevator input and preset will give assurance that once aircraft airborne she's already above safe speed. For landing, increasing AOA provided with power will slows down...
This is also a sample showing how AOA affect it. This is hornet with proposed additional HLD and not applicable to standard F-18 model.


BMatthews advice is proven technically and in flight that will help light wing loading aircraft to process descend rate. Gliders and other model jets are also using this feature on their landing. However for heavy high wing loading uses flaperon as their features to slow down, I’ve tested it on my scale F-18 and it works but due to lower energy instead of using spoiler I prefer to leave aileron as it is.