Adding that much tail weight seems typical for the Alpha 60.

I had to add 15 weight squares (3.75 oz) to the back of my Alpha 60 also. I attached to under the stab next to the fuselage opposite the exhaust - (2) rows of 6 and a third row of 3 paralleling the fuselage. I have not had any issues using the adhesive backing that comes with the weights, I just make sure I clean the mounting surface with alcohol before I attach them and try to keep them out of the exhaust path. With that huge wing the plane doesn't know they are there, and they add less than 3% to the total weight of the plane (.04 lbs/ft sq). It still lands as slow as a NextStar! I had to add more tail weight after I did the initial test flights to get the true balance and a good nose high flair.

Make sure your battery is well secured. All it will take is a hard landing to jar it loose and the last thing you want is for it to come sliding forward into the servos and shifting the CG at the same time while possibly coming unhooked. That is why I left mine secured next to the receiver and just added the weight. Unless I can build a battery box to contain the battery, I'd rather add some weight if its not excessive.

I've found the factory control throws are a bit soft, especially elevator during flair. I did run out of elevator during flair on the first flight with the nose gear just above the ground (not enough for a decent flair), and found in 10 mph crosswinds the stock aileron throws where not enough - I ran out of aileron. If you have a radio with dual rates, add 30% for high rates to start, otherwise you may find moving the pushrod in 1 notch on the elevator horn, and move the aileron horns about 4 turns closer to the wing should help.

Also pay attention to the nose gear bracket - it's way too small for the plane (more suited to a .32 size plane). Mine snapped on a take-off run, and it had not been landed on the nose gear (not the first time I've heard of that happening). The Dubro nose gear brackets will fit as a much beefier replacement.

Hogflyer