Testing at max gross weight
 

The Phase I endorsement for the logbook that's required seems to suggest that the testing for V speeds should be done at as many different weights as possible, which would seem to include maximum gross weight.

I'm 170. Full fuel is 250... give or take... which gives me about 350 pounds for ballast I'd need in a fashion that allows me to move it forward and back.

What are people using to provide this much ballast (in an affordable way)?

Hi Bob,

I used 60lb bags of concrete. Just put them each in a garbage bag so you don't get dust all over. I took out the passenger cushions and they stack up nicely and can be belted in.

I strapped duffle bags full of dumbbell weights and sandbags into the pax seat and baggage area.

I put my 350 pound mother-in-law in the back seat. :eek: (alright, just kiddding)

Can't do that - I got rid of that wife... :D

I used sand bags in various tote bags and used the handles of the totes to tie the bags to spots to keep the weight from shifting. In the baggage area I tied it to the central flap housing and varied the length of rope for various loading scenarios. I also put various weights in the passenger seat and ran the seat belts through the tote handles. It was still a bit messy until a friend loaned me some bags of lead shot which I also put in the totes for securing. Much easier with the bags of shot.

Large dog food bags #34. We use to breed Boxers so the extra bags didn't go to waste. Not as dense as concrete but not as messy if/when the bag breaks open.

YMMV

Just don't be surprised when all the airport dogs chase you down the taxiway.

Do be careful,... especially when working on fwd cg
 

make sure what ever you use will not shift with bumps, acceleration, or deceleration.... plastic bags are bad about sliding around...

you don't want something heavy sliding onto the stick or into the rudder pedals,... similar... certainly don't want all your ballast going aft when you takeoff.

I used bags of oil-dry, (can re-use later during oil changes, etc) ... and weights from a weight bench.

Boy, none of these do much for me. If I'm doing a 60 knot climb, everything's gonna shift. the box of lift weights (all duct-taped up and strapped in) might work. There's just so little room on a seat without messing with the passenger stick (I know what you're about to write, but it's bolted in per the plans and it ain't coming out!)