Hey seanpatsdad, just do a search on here for info on balancing it. The general concensus seems to be if you use a big engine in the nose, lose the lead ingot engine mount it comes with and install a light one. Move the battery back as needed and you'll be getting there. Searching like I mentioned, will get you a lot more good info on the specifics. Reinforcing the landing gear and maybe the firewall a bit with anything might help. It's a hell of a plane, but the ARF kit takes some tweaking in many cases. To test the balance just rest it over a broomstick and see if it's at the recomended point? - Joe