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RC airplane setup - Center of Gravity

by Brumac

How can I set the center of gravity properly?
I will mark the desired center of gravity point under each wing and then use those two points as pivot points for balancing the airplane. I will then add or subtract weight forward or rearword as needed to make the aircraft balance with the fuselage in a generally horizontal attitude for level flight. My questions are:

What measure do I use to recognize when the proper horizontal attitude has been achieved? For example, should the leading and trailing edges of the wing lie in the same horizontal plane? Should the stabilizer be horizontal (my stabilizer is a flat sheet)?

What are the pros and cons associated with a nose-heavy and tail heavy balance?

Thank You

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RC airplane setup - Center of Gravity

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Mar 07, 2009
RC airplane CG
by: Pete

A correctly balanced rc airplane will have its longitudinal axis level, the angle of the wing and tailplane will vary depending on the built-in angles of incidence.
Essentially, it's usually very obvious to the eye if a plane is not balanced.

A nose heavy plane is safer than a tail heavy one, a tail heavy airplane can be very uncontrollable if the CG is very far out. Nose heavy planes are more controllable, but their flight characteristics will not be very nice, and you'll need lots of up elevator to compensate.

Spend the time balancing the airplane correctly before you fly, and you shouldn't have too many problems.

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