The new muffler arrived at work (funny how most of my packages arrive there) so I put the plane back together Monday night, adding some weight to the front. I also swopped the heavy tailwheel I had fitted in the belief that the CG was too far forward.

Had the day off yesterday so went out to the local flying club (which is not where I usually fly).

The results were very convincing. The plane flew heaps better, with much less inclination to dip the nose on throttle up. Landing too were much better, this field has a much narrower strip than I am used to, and I haven't flown there for some months, yet I managed the best landings I have managed to date with this plane.

I intend to try a little extra weight up front as I think that there is still scope to move the CG a bit further forward, but in general I am happy with the outcome. After sitting around for a few months the MT57 took a little while to get going first, but thereafter started very easily. And even with the extra weight engine power was not a problem!!!

Terry