[lorne green]

I'm curious, Im installing a 200hp engine in my 7a. In order to try to configure the wieght and balance early in the project, should I avoid drilling out the lightening holes in the v/stab to compensate for the heavier(?) engine?

 

[captainron]

Vertical stab

That's approx 3.3 oz.

 

[vlittle]

Lorne...

Just plan on mounting your ELT antenna or electronic compass module underneath the tail fairing. That should help with CofG. Go ahead and drill the holes.

Vern Little

 

[Pirkka]

In case your plane will become tail heavy, you won't be able to make those lightening holes afterwards. So in case you will have it nose heavy, it's easy to put extra weight to the back... Hopefully you have good fly-cutter -- I didn't have one and used A lot of time to make those holes.