Level the model on a balancer

What you need

• A CG balancer, or two fingertips
• The target CG, from the CG calculator or the plans

Steps

1. Mark the target CG under both sides of the wing.
2. Rest the model on the balancer, with its points on the marks.
3. Open Bench and tap Balance level.
4. Lay the iPhone along the fuselage, top toward the nose, close to the marks.
5. Move the battery or add weight until the screen says Balanced.
6. Take the iPhone off, and check by eye that the model still sits level.

Good to know

• Keep the iPhone close to the CG marks. Its weight there barely changes the balance.
• If the top of the fuselage isn't level when the model sits right, set a level reference first.
• Balance glow and gas models with the fuel tank empty.

Words used here

CG

Center of gravity: the point where the model balances. Too far back makes it unstable. Too far forward makes the nose hard to lift.

Related guides

• Find the CG by weighingWeigh each wheel to see where the model balances now, and how much weight to add.
• Work out where the CG should beEnter or measure the wing's size to find the range where the model should balance.