optimal c.g.-position

[FlyingPawel]

Hi lucky ASW15-pilots,

I'm preparing 'my' 15 for a competition and was wondering where the best c.g. location is. Because nothing is given in the flight manual and I also couldn't find something else, I've made a little calculation -- see attachement 

If you wanna use it, you'll have to activate iterative calculations in the Excel-options.

Happy weighings,
Paul

[Michelmusch]

Hello Paul,

since my 15 has a tailwheel and the center of gravity is already rather in the rear end I have a minimum weight now of 80kg in the cockpit. I am a little heavier anyway so it is no problem at all but comapred to the ASW15b my club owned untill last year which I flew as well and which had the c.g. in the middle I prefer flying my own plane. The thermalling is way more comfortable and you don't have a bad feeling that when you have weak thermals you will drop over a wing circling with 75 km/h. When gaining speed in between thermals I put the trim forward and you won't notice the difference. She gains speed as quickly as the other from my club. I would definitely prefer the c.g. in the back and if you have a tail wheel put a heavier brass wheel, make new weight and balance and have some hours flying it. You will feel the difference right away. I hope this helps.

Cheers

Michel 

[FlyingPawel]

Hi Michel,

I've heard similar experiences as yours from other ASW15-pilots, too. So the calculation may confirm the reality, what is nice And it is quite sure that it is the best to fly the 15 in the rear part of the allowed c.g.-range; maybe for safety reasons not at the rear limit...

Cheers,
Paul

[Giancarlo]

Hello Paul,

since my 15 has a tailwheel and the center of gravity is already rather in the rear end I have a minimum weight now of 80kg in the cockpit. I am a little heavier anyway so it is no problem at all but comapred to the ASW15b my club owned untill last year which I flew as well and which had the c.g. in the middle I prefer flying my own plane. The thermalling is way more comfortable and you don't have a bad feeling that when you have weak thermals you will drop over a wing circling with 75 km/h. When gaining speed in between thermals I put the trim forward and you won't notice the difference. She gains speed as quickly as the other from my club. I would definitely prefer the c.g. in the back and if you have a tail wheel put a heavier brass wheel, make new weight and balance and have some hours flying it. You will feel the difference right away. I hope this helps.

Cheers

Michel

Mine's quite similar, but I can't compare with other 15s, since it's the first I fly

Anyway, I have the same flight impressions

[Michelmusch]

Hi Michel,

I've heard similar experiences as yours from other ASW15-pilots, too. So the calculation may confirm the reality, what is nice And it is quite sure that it is the best to fly the 15 in the rear part of the allowed c.g.-range; maybe for safety reasons not at the rear limit...

Cheers,
Paul

Hello Paul,

depending on your own weight you don't have to worry being on the edge of the rear part of the c.g. range. Since I exceed the weight limit a little you don't have to worry about a stall spin or something similar. I even went down to 70 with the speed and nothing happened.

Cheers

Michel