Inter-flight activities:

1. Added ballast to the passenger seat to bring the CG to 84.3" aft of the datum. Weight at engine start was 1757 lb, the highest weight that has been flown to date.

Purpose:

Qualitative handling assessment at aft CG.

Events:

1. Slow flight
2. Longitudinal static stability
3. Trim at VNE
4. Stalls
5. Three touch and goes and a full stop landing.

Results:

1. Rudder pedal forces required to turn the tailwheel are much higher than at more forward CGs.
2. Stick forces noticeably lighter as the CG is moved aft.
3. Longitudinal static stability is still positive, but is much weaker than at forward CG.
4. Still able to trim at VNE.
5. Now able to trim at final approach speed at idle (cannot trim in this condition at mid or forward CG)

New Snags:

1. None

Existing Snags:

1. Max rpm still decreases late in the flight.
2. SD-8 Alternator - must run power wire to regulator.
3. Small amount of right rudder pedal force needed in cruise. Need to add a wedge on the left side of the rudder trailing edge.
4. Pitch trim speed of movement is slow during a touch and go. Need to try it with the pitch trim speed governor removed.