Originally Posted by Len Todd

I finally got around to building the Checkmate. To get the CG anywhere near the suggested line, I had to add slightly over two pounds of lead in the nose. Is this normal?

I have the three battery packs (2000 Mah Spektrum receiver packs) as far forward as possible inside the fuse. I would put the batteries in front of the firewall except for the fact that I want to pull them out for charging.

I am using a DLE 55 with the custom muffler. I have a smartfly power expander with AR9020 and TM-1000 immediately aft of the fuel tank.

Just never had to add that much weight to a plane before. I am putting a smoke pump out with the engine. I may add a LiFe battery out there too. As long as the weight has to out there, I may as well make it useful weight.

Is this amount of weight normal for this plane?