Double and triple checking the CoG for my SC

[coupe1942]

Okay, I am a newbie, so be gentle with any answers here. :-)  But, in setting up my GreatPlanes CoG machine, I am just wanting to basically know if I am approaching it correctly for proper use or am I way off base and need to change something?

I positioned the plane on the stand, which is not the easiest thing to do with the struts in place and when no helper is assisting. Any rate, I set the side rulers to 2.5" on each side. (Measured from the red tipped pin on each side at the leading edge of the wing, to the marker in the center of the ruler holder). From what I am viewing, it looks as if the plane is a tad bit nose heavy. I have read that being nose heave just a bit is a good thing for a newbie, so I am not so sure I should adjust anything or not at this point. I am not certain if the 2 1/2" is the best place to set the pads and markers, but from what I read about the SC, 2 1/4" to 2 1/2" seems to be the center point for the SC, so I assume there is a great deal of variance there.

My questions are:

Do I have the CoG machine properly setup at the stand, as I spread the bottom support rods out fully?
Is the 2 1/2" good for the initial balance point of the plane?
Is the slight nose heaviness okay at this point? 

[jklong03]

Keep in mind that what you are looking for is the wings and stabilizer being level, the nose may indeed look likes it's pointing slightly down. You look level to me.

[coupe1942]

Silly me, DUH, I forgot to insert the battery before initially checking the CoG, but once done it appears to be level to me. I am going to have to go back and read up some more on installing the battery into the battery box, as that seemed to be a bit overly difficult for me to do. The GreatPlanes CoG machine has a really cheezy bubble level setup to it. I have another bubble level out in my garage somewhere and will check with it. Thanks for the info. I realize that photos can vary as to what the show, since the location or angle of the camera can change things a bit, but the wings and stabilizers do look level to me at this point.

[jklong03]

Does this signify an impending maiden flight soon? Winds permitting of course!

[coupe1942]

No, probably not just quite yet, as I still have to read through the manual on the transmitter and I still have a few other mods I am toying with on the plane. I have permission to use the field I wan't, but I still have some things to get done before I do that. But it is a step closer. :-)

What is the easiest way to weigh the full plane? I can't think of a way to get the entire plane up on my gram scale and I do want to see how much total weight I have added so far. I was thinking that a fish scale or even a travel bag scale may work, but not sure if the ones here measure in grams or not.