Balance Stands

[stangflyer]

Something I have not seen is any kind of information on balancing stands. I built my son and I a set of these stands a couple of years ago. I figured at the time, they would serve their purpose well for what we were flying at the time. It so turns out that I built them a little larger in anticipated expectations of larger and heavier planes. As it turned out, they are working quite nicely for all the recent additions we have been building. Including the 40% plus planes.

What's everyone else using?

 

[Jetpainter]

I have a friend with one of the nice aluminum EZ Balancers. I just borrow his since I'm way to cheap to buy my own.

 

[ChickenBalls]

I just been using my fingers. There is such a wide range of CG on these planes, get her close, fly, move batteries around till you get her where you like.

 

[jhelber08]

I just been using my fingers. There is such a wide range of CG on these planes, get her close, fly, move batteries around till you get her where you like.

+1

 

[WMcNabb]

What's the advantage of a balance stand versus weighing all three wheels of a leveled airframe as full scale aircraft are done?

Perhaps because c.g. needs to be close before fine tuning is done after actual flights?

 

[Ohio AV8TOR]

I just been using my fingers. There is such a wide range of CG on these planes, get her close, fly, move batteries around till you get her where you like.

My thoughts exactly

 

[Ohio AV8TOR]

What's the advantage of a balance stand versus weighing all three wheels of a leveled airframe as full scale aircraft are done?

Perhaps because c.g. needs to be close before fine tuning is done after actual flights?

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Most people do not have 3 gram scales. I have always been intrigued with this method but do not know how to break down the weights and determine the CG location. If you do this please share more.

 

[Mark Harper]

Here's a link that will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about finding the cg of an airplane. It will make your head spin...
http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aircraft/media/faa-h-8083-1a.pdf

This link is much easier to follow but still makes a balance stand look like a darn good idea, or two fingers....
http://www.ascentgroundschool.com/i...etermining-the-empty-weight-center-of-gravity

This forum kind of freaks me out. I started building my own version of an easy balancer this morning and the first post on here today is this one. Great minds think alike?

 

[WMcNabb]

Capt. Roll has the details, see post below...

 

[Capt.Roll]

Most people do not have 3 gram scales. I have always been intrigued with this method but do not know how to break down the weights and determine the CG location. If you do this please share more.

This is from the IMAC Technical Reference Area.