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Old 06-18-2009 | 07:34 AM
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From: FrederickMD
Default RE: CG Question - tail heavy?

Check your CG without the pilot, and mark the point.  Then put the pilot back in.  If your CG is within a cm of the previous CG, you'll be fine.  If its at all tail heavy, you'll be able to manage it.  If it feels too sensitive, you can always add some noseweight later.

The recommended CG is just that - recommended - primarily for the initial flight.  After that its normal to make adjustments for your flying style and capabilities.

I had a student that came to the field with an older design Goldberg Falcon.  He had added about 4 ounces of weight to the nose to get it to balance in the middle of the recommended range.  The plane was so nose heavy it couldn't rotate for takeoff.  He removed the weight, but then moved the battery forward to keep the CG where it was.  Same problem, but we did get it in the air after a very long takeoff run.  I told him to move the battery back to its original position.  The plane now balances about 1/4" (about 8mm) behind the recommended range.  Now the plane flies beautifully!

Small adjustments in CG won't make huge changes in flight behavior.  Just make the changes slowly and methodically.

Brad