Why do so many kits show the CG measured at the wing tips? Most of our building is a one man operation and checking CG at the tip of a 85" wing is a challenge. I know you can convert the tip points to wing root points and or get the wife to help you ballance the bird. I just wonder why the wing tip referance points are provided rather than more practical wing root referance points?

Frank Baity
AMA 38026

Most Giant Scale planes weigh too much to be supported at the fuse--- and the wing is not built to support the weight or the psi. required for a 1/4 sq. in. or less, probe on the bottom. What ever you used, finger, pad, ect. would poke a hole in the wing.

If you do not have help avalable, tape a hardwood triangle on the wing tip at the CG, then place the plane between two tables, chaires, boxes, whatever, with the hardwood triangles on the wing tips supporting the plane. I fly 33 and 40% planes and I use cheap automotive jack stands. If you use jackstands you can keep the plane close to the floor where you can controll it and move things around without having to reposition or worry about it falling off something.

my .02.

A tip from an RC Report from last year, for a low-wing plane. Mark the CG location on the fuselage sides (or on tape on the sides). Put a length of strong string under the fuse, then bolt the wing on; it doesn't have to be real tight. Hang it from the ceiling with the string at the cg location.