Balancing model
 

I have an avistar and it is nose heavy. I have moved the battery to the back but it still is nose heavy. What should i do?

RE: Balancing model
 

What engine did you use? I put a OS 46LA on my sons Avistar ARF an it balanced perfectly with the battery and receiver in the forward mount just behind the tank. Are you sure you are checking your balance properly?

RE: Balancing model
 

If you've moved everything you can move, and the engine is mounted as far forward as you can safely, then you pretty much have to add weight to the nose. The easiest way to add weight is with a "heavy hub", like the ones made by Higgly. Or you can glue/screw lead weight to the firewall. Chances are, you don't need much weight, and a couple of oz weight wont affect a .40 size trainer.

RE: Balancing model
 

Add weight to the tail. (As far back as you can so you add as little as possible.)

Jason

RE: Balancing model
 

DOH! I didn't read your post close enough, and tail heavy is more common than nose heavy.

So, move the battery and RX back as far as you can and safely mount them, then add weight to the tail. The good news is that at the tail, the amount of lead needed will be rather small.

RE: Balancing model
 

You would think so. I recently recovered with MK a well balanced plane (prior to the strip and cover) and somehow came out nose heavy. Was really suprised when I had to add 7 oz to the tail to get it to balance again. I am still scratching my head over it. Knowing that I did not add weight to the front, I am confused how I lost all the weight in the tail.

Jason

RE: Balancing model
 

Is it a lot nose heavy or just slightly? A little nose heavy is not bad to start. You are checking with the tank empty? Of course, adding weight is the last resort. But if you must, the LHS sells lead strips that are scored and can be broken into the desired amount of weight. It shouldn't take a lot since you can put it at the very end of the tail.

Is this a new plane or used?

RE: Balancing model
 

Being a trainer, I would not worry about it.
Are you having any problems with it?

RE: Balancing model
 

Jason,
No extra screws left around? :D
That is strange, that a re-covering would change the CG that much. Did you recover with the same kind of covering, or did you do something different? I don't know about all coverings, but there is actually quite a differnece in weights between differnet colors of monokote. White is the heaviest, black is the lightest. But I'd never imagine 7oz of difference.

I suppose it's possible that you picked up a lot of oil soakage in the front of the plane, but 7oz of tail weight is huge.