Plans: 1. Perform weight & balance check. Status: I was able to borrow professional scales from an aviation friend, so I could finally do an accurate weight and balance for the air vehicle. The system includes three scales each with a capacity over 1000 lbs.. I completely assembled all the parts in their final locations. I also added 18 lbs. of lead weight to the fuel tank to simulate 3 gallons of fuel (minimum load). I checked all weights with me sitting in the cockpit and outside.The result is very different from the predictions. It turns out that the location I had been using for the pilot's moment arm was way off. I had it at 47 inches and the truth is 51 inches. This means I am very tail heavy. The new battery needs to be moved forward of the wings. I also need to cut as much weight from the tail as possible. I may also need to add weight to the nose. Conversely I will need to move the pilots seat forward.
Actual weights (3 gallons fuel): Pilot 216 lbs. Laden Aircraft: LW 469 lbs. RW 462 lbs. TW 86.2 lbs. Total = 1017.2 lbs. With 12 gallons fuel flyoff weight 1071.2 lbs.
