Plans: 1 Create ballast weights. Status: 25% complete. To move the C. G. forward the simplest thing is to add ballast to the nose. Moving the engine an inch or two forward is difficult and would require a lot of rework. Moving the pilot’s seat forward impacts the rudder pedals and throttle position. So, at least to begin, I will add weight to the nose. I purchased a bag of lead bird shot and steel bars to construct the ballast weights. Basically, today I cut the steel bars to mount in the nose. Next, I will fill them with lead shot and melt the lead in place. Previously I tried to salvage lead from an old car battery as opposed to using the bird shot. That did not go well. Cooking the lead from the battery just turned into a big mess and didn't yield much lead. You really need a kiln to do this technique. I gave up after two or three hours cooking. Regardless, the bars have been cut to shape. At the moment I am waiting on the lead to arrive. Three bars, two mount just behind the engine mount forward cross member. The third mounts beneath the radiator. There is a concern that placing weigh in a weak area could vibrate loose so the locations were chosen with that in mind.
