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Adding Weight to Model Airplanes

Weight and balance are critical components of model aircraft design. Radio-controlled planes, capable of flight, must be precisely balanced or aerodynamic properties will be compromised, making the plane highly unstable in flight. Model planes, designed strictly for display, must be correctly weighted so the aircraft will hang properly when suspended in the air.

Center of Gravity
- Consult the instruction manual to determine the center of gravity of the plane, commonly referred to as the ̶0;CG.̶1; If the manual is not available, measure the wing ̶0;cord,̶1; the distance of the wing from the leading to trailing edge. Divide the number by three and measure the resulting quotient back from the leading edge. For example, if the wing cord is 6 inches from front to back, measure a distance of 2 inches back from the leading edge to locate the CG point.
Balance
- Place your fingers under the wings at the CG point and lift the plane into the air by your fingertips. If the plane doesn̵7;t hang level, balancing on your fingertips, adjust the weight accordingly.
Nose Weight
- Add 1/16-ounce stick-on weights, available at hobby shops, to the front of the aircraft if the nose of the plane tilts upward. Peel the backing from the weight and stick the weight to the inside of the engine cowling. Continue adding weight until the plane balances on your fingers at the CG point.
Tail Weight
- If the nose of the plane points downward, add weight to the tail section, in 1/16-ounce increments, until the plane balances on your fingers. Place the weights as far back inside the rear end of the fuselage as possible to decrease the amount of weight needed. Don̵7;t add so much weight to the tail that the nose of the plane begins to lift. If you cannot get the pane to balance precisely, it is better to have the front end of the plane slightly heavier than to have the tail be heavier.

Aviation