Hello all! I've been posting on rcuniverse for almost a week now and I've gotten some great advise and good answers so I'm hoping my string of luck will continue!

I just took my Graupner Tipsy out for my maiden flight, and I think I might have a balance problem, however I'm not sure. I've been very careful to follow the instructions and I've made a few modifications that was recommended to me to correct the most common problems I found about the Tipsy. The mods were to add a couple rows of reinforced packing tape to the wing to strengthen it and to upgrade the motor from a Speed 280 to a Speed 280 Sport. According to the instructions, the CG is slightly forward of the middle of the wing, and as far as I can tell when I balance it on my fingers, that is exactly where it is. I had planned several flights today, each longer and more challenging then the last. For my first flight I got the plane up to about 25 feet and circled, then I cut power to glide back to Earth to check its balance and how well it glides. It flew well under power, but as soon as I cut the motor it nosed down about 15 degrees and full elevator up was barely able to pull it out before it hit the ground. It was a rough landing, but no real damage. Before I launched it again, I adjusted the trim to lift the nose, but when I cut power the second time I got the same result. Thankfully only very minor damage to the front of the nose.

The thing that bothers me is when it was under power, it flew well. I was surprised how strong the controls were and how little throw I needed to make the plane go. This leads me to my second theory as to what caused the dives, pilot error! When I got it up in the air, things started happening real fast! I didn't panic, but the plane drew an audience (unwanted for my first flight!!!) and I feel like my mind was racing.

All help is greatly appreciated!!!

Jay