RE: Why balance upside down?
To get an object to balance with equilibrium, the center of gravity (CG), which is actually a singular point in space, with a vertical, longitudinal and lateral axis, must be below the pivot point. Attempting to get a low wing airplane to balance with equilibrium, in it's upright position, is exactly the same as attempting to get a high wing airplane to balance with equilibrium while in it's inverted position. Being able to balance with equilibrium is best, as it allows the balance point to be adjusted, by adding weights to the aircraft to achieve balance.