Thanks guys, yep the stock scheme just was not doing it for me. I really think this scheme is a major improvement to an already awesome ship.

Fastlif,

I already have the carbon tailgear. As for the carbon main gear, I thought about that, but it's so close to the CG that it would kind of be a wash. Adding a few ounces that close to the CG by using the stock gear instead would only save me half that much balance weight from out on the firewall.

You end up saving an ounce or two of lead ballast by adding 3 or 4 ounces in the gear. So, you've then increased the overall weight and pretty much lost all your savings. Yes I'd have less lead on the firewall, but my AUW would actually be higher since my lead is further forward of the CG than the main gear are.

Besides, them carbon gear are just to purdy!

BTW, I just finished moving all the radio gear and throttle servo to the CG or forward of it, and mounted all my little lead bricks to the firewall and cowl. With 13 ounces of lead up there, I'm balanced at 1/2" behind the suggested 3-1/4" CG point. I'm going to fly it like that and see how it feels.

If it doesn't feel tailheavy, I'll start knocking a couple ounces at a time off the firewall and see how it feels. I may find that I can actually lose 6 or 7 ounces and still be at around 4-1/4" CG, and fly great. If so, I'm just fine with having it at 16-1/3 pounds as long as it performs. That would still be 2 pounds lighter than my WH Edge was (w/smoke)...Wish me luck

Tom