Originally Posted by
afterburner
I dropped my engine below the rails and adjusted the pipe appropriately but it still climbs some at full throttle. Less than it did before I moved the engine higher. Will probably mix it out. Will probably add more down elevator throw in general so inverted flight is easier. I'm around half stick to keep it level at medium speed which is very uncomfortable.
Dave, since you've flown so many of these, when one is nose/tail heavy is it obvious through the turns that it noses down/up respectively or does it stay mostly neutral and only shows when landing? Thanks.
Speed dependant, flying slower it does drop its nose in turns, tail heavy it sits down on its tail in turns and "digs" in a bit. My standard balance check is a slow-medium roll, if you need lots of rudder and down during roll , its nose heavy. My own Hawk only requires a little of each during rolls. Never completely neutral, its no pattern plane. KE also normally can be done at medium speeds and not more than half rudder. Mine will climb in KE without full power.
Matt's Hawk today was at least an inch nose heavy on first flight as we ran out of weight to add right on the rear face! Was windy, but landing was still on mains with nose up. Just needed full up and a burst of power as it flared. With the drag available power is on even on the approach.
Dave