Keep the wings on the plane and pick it up under the top wings with your finger in the same spots to the left and right. The plane has a large CG area. I have been all the way to the rear of that area. The plane doesn't have any bad habits that far back it just dives very bad at the front of the CG while inverted. Use the middle range and work your way forward of AFT depending on how you like your birds to fly.

My kits weighs 12 7/8 lbs with an OS-160, 18 x 6 zinger pro prop, 2700 NMHi battery (7 oz), 3.5 " skylights a smoke system. I never do get the lightweight kits mine are always the 1lbs heavier than everyone else bird. Don't sweat the weight unless you personally put some rock (lead) on the plane for balance. The plane will not know its 12 lbs trust me.

I have flown mine with a satio 180, RCS 1.4 and now the OS-160. And with out the smoke system I never did come close to 10-11 lbs. I had 2-Sig Caps 231 and that plane does come in under 11lbs but look at how its build and you will know it's hard for the stock DP Bipe to be in that range we are talking Popsicle sticks built for the Cap 231.

My battery is mounted just at the rear portion of the wing. i don't have a pilot in the bird but i am looking to add one this year.