I'm weighing 923 EW after adding 15lbs to the tail. I'm at 12.02 cg and my tailwheel weight is 71lbs. Flys pretty good at this CG. Just wondering what CG others are flying at....
I'm weighing 923 EW after adding 15lbs to the tail. I'm at 12.02 cg and my tailwheel weight is 71lbs. Flys pretty good at this CG. Just wondering what CG others are flying at....
Harlan and Susan Payne
Flying FarmFox STI Kitfox N61HP
Rotax 915is, Airmaster prop.
https://www.youtube.com/@KitfoxPilot/videos
Model 5 with some 7 upgrades. EW is 798. CG is 12.14. Tail weighed 73 pounds.
I am guessing that the 15 pounds you added to the tail is because of the airmaster prop?
Harlan and Susan Payne
Flying FarmFox STI Kitfox N61HP
Rotax 915is, Airmaster prop.
https://www.youtube.com/@KitfoxPilot/videos
807lbs and 56 tail weight.
9.32 CG w/75" Airmaster
Your cg is close to what my cg was before adding the weight. Do you have problems doing 3 point landings? That's the reason I added weight.
Harlan and Susan Payne
Flying FarmFox STI Kitfox N61HP
Rotax 915is, Airmaster prop.
https://www.youtube.com/@KitfoxPilot/videos
No problem. I can touch the tail first. Not just 3 point. Put gaffers tape or elevator seals on your tail too.
I could tell a difference when I installed the Airmaster. Have since gone with an EarthX battery and have slowly forgotten how it used to fly.
Harlan , have you installed the trim assist kit? that helps a bunch too. On my Series 5 (with a heavy Continental IO-240 up front, 250 lbs worth)and which has the smaller elevator than you guys with the newer airplanes , I had to do a few things to make full stall landings doable. As much weight aft (to me its a sin to carry deadweight for the sake of balance) so 16 Lb Odyssey & ELT in empennage, gap seals and the trim assist kit. I have full elevator authority and can 3 point at any flap setting. Bruce N199CL
I did as Phil did only I wish I would have known about the Gorilla Tape. Oh well, I had expensive clear anti-chafe tape that worked the same and it isn't all that noticeable as Jim states. Just way more expensive. I have had it in place for about 300 hrs and it hasn't budged whatsoever.
Eddie Forward
Flying
SS7, 912iS, Garmin G3X
Harlan,
How did you add the weight to your tail? Doing it over again, would you have gone with the Odyssey battery?
I was planning to use the EarthX also to save weight but have a feeling I'll be in the same position needing to add extra tail weight. I chose a ground adjustable prop over Airmaster which is lighter but I am thinkiing of going with a Dynon panel and the Fastrak mounting system which will put most of my avionics behind my panel (forward of CG) as opposed to in tail and behind seat pan.
I just made a lead weight and bolted in the spare hole in the tailwheel gear.
Started at 5lbs and ended at 14. I could fly without it but it has a super heavy stick on final approach. I gained 4 mph when I added the weight on the same fuel burn by balancing the plane a little better and landings are much easier for me.
I wanted the earth x battery because of the extra power. I knew I would have to add the weight but it takes much less on the tail then it does in the battery compartment.
Yes your ground adjustable prop is 16 lb lighter and will help your balance a lot.
Harlan and Susan Payne
Flying FarmFox STI Kitfox N61HP
Rotax 915is, Airmaster prop.
https://www.youtube.com/@KitfoxPilot/videos