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How to Determine If a Tail Is Too Heavy on a R/C Model Plane

Balance plays a large role in your ability to safely and properly control your remote control airplane. Any deviation in your aircraft's balance may cause difficulty when attempting to get the R/C plane off the ground or, worse, could cause the plane to crash in mid-flight. Finding out whether your aircraft is properly balanced takes only a few moments and can avoid a hazardous situation.

Things You'll Need

Ballast (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  Find your aircraft's Center of Gravity (CG) as indicated by your plane's manual or construction plan. Typically, the CG can be found around 1/3 to 1/4 of the wing chord, or the width of the wing, back from the wing's leading edge, the edge of the wing that hits air first when flying.
- 2
  Place either both of your index or middle fingers evenly on the plane's CG a few inches away from the fuselage and gently lift the aircraft up. Make sure that the aircraft hangs freely on your fingers and doesn't touch any surfaces.
- 3
  Observe the aircraft to see if there is any change in its orientation. If the aircraft's nose points upward with your fingers on the CG, then the aircraft is tail-heavy. If the nose points downward, then the aircraft is nose-heavy. Make sure to adjust the battery pack and receiver to balance the aircraft accordingly, or use a minimal amount of ballast if either component cannot be adjusted.

Aviation