mat_bjoe, the fuel tank does not have enuff weight empty to completely make up for some weight up front. You can get by if you are using a heavy battery and mount it up front. You may want to move the tank back to just in front of the wing tube, this will allow the battery to be placed further forward plus it will keep the CG shift down somewhat.

The number one and two required things that must be done with this plane are:

1. Do a good inspection of the wings. Its not hard and takes only a minute thanks to the transparent covering on the bottom of the wing. Twist the wing and look at all the ribs for cracks. Either repair anything that does not look right or call Horizon for a replacement.

2. Set up the control surfaces using good mechanical advantage to prevent flutter.

3. OK, here is a third. Throttle control.

Thoughts on tail wheel. My stock tail wheel assy. lasted many flights, but I have a habit of touching the tail wheel while flying the length of the runway. Got tired of the stock unit bending. I am not a great fan of the Sullivan units as they tend to bend sideways over time. First replacement was a Carl Goldberg unit but I keep popping the little clip off the bottom, not good for how I like to fly the thing. Then I went to a leaf type tail wheel, can't remember the manufacturer but it developed slop at the pivot point. I now have a C. B Associates unit on the rear and it seems to be holding up fine. Two other brands that I think would work would be Sig unit or a Dave Patrick. The bad thing is all replacements add tail weight.

Hope this helps and have fun flying that thing. I have no idea how many hours are on mine now, but its been a fun plane to fly.

Ed M.