When it comes to RC airplanes, many say that ΄΄two sets of wings are better than one΄΄. For any model to perform properly and be safe to fly, it has to be properly balanced. This is especially true for multi-wing models. As a basic rule, you first find the MAC or ΄΄Μean Aerodynamic Chord΄΄ of your biplane, and then establish the CG Range from there. If you are building a kit or assembling an ARF, start where the instructions indicate. If you don’t have the information or it looks weird somehow, compute the range and see for yourself.

        Manufacturers have been known to get the numbers wrong. Why find the range? The CG balance works in both directions. You model can be too nose heavy or too tail heavy. Nose heaviness leads to less elevator authority and increases landing speeds while making it harder to flare to bleed off speed. Tail heaviness lessens stability and increases pitch responsiveness, sometimes to the point where you lose control. So find the limits for your model’s 25% to 33% spot range and then work from there by doing test flights to check how your biplane responds.

The Pitts Model 12 is an aerobatic biplane with a swept back top wing.

          Illustration ΄΄Α΄΄ shows how to find the MAC and thus your 25% and 33% MAC locations for the CG range. Finding the CG of a biplane with a swept top wing like a Pitts Model 12, is best done with a top view of both wings and then treating the drawings like a single tapered wing.

        ΄΄Α΄΄

           Project the Tip and the Root chord lines and then draw reference lines. Where the lines intersect, is the MAC. Then place your 25% and 33% locations for the balance range. Illustration ΄΄Β΄΄ shows the side view illustration for finding the model’s Center of Lift (CL). Placing the CG forward or aft of the CL affects the model’s performance.

        ΄΄Β΄΄     

          Illustration ΄΄C΄΄ shows the quick and easy way to balance a biplane with two equal upper and lower wing chords. For biplanes with constant and equal wing cords, use the horizontal distance from the top wing΄s leading edge (LE) to the bottom wing΄s  trailing edge (TE) for the MAC. Use the 25% and 33% MAC positions for the CG range.

        ΄΄C΄΄

           These techniques for finding the center of lift and the MAC and CG locations for biplanes have worked on several different models. They are meant to give you the necessary knowledge so you can perform a safe and controllable test flight. After you fly your model, you can make fine adjustments to dial in the balance point that you are most comfortable with.

           No matter the size of your biplane it has to have the proper CG balance point to maximize its performance. It goes for both being too tail heavy as well as too nose heavy. Don’t let this happen to your multi-wing airplane. Proper balance is the most important thing for safe flights.

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This Post Has 7 Comments

  1. jim dorsey

    CG on a 65″ Stagger wing -Sid Morgan Kit –What is the best way to check CG – Illustration ΄΄C΄΄ going from the bottom wing front to top wing back — can you post an Illustration ΄΄like C΄΄

    1. Dimitrios Katsoulis

      Dear Jim,

      we have just sent you an email explaining all you asked for.

      We hope it helps!

  2. Dear Dimitrie,

    First I would like to thank you for all this information that you kindly provide to your website! Are very useful and you help people that are beginners in order to not have a bad experience by flying a non well balanced airplane! Well done for your contribution to the hobby!

    I would like to ask about something that looks weird to me. I have a Pitts Python 63″ wingspan and the manual sais that the CG is 13mm from the LE to the lower wing. This seems to be very strange because whatever I tried to do (changes on the battery position, adding weight etc.) I see that the aircraft is always in a tail-heavy mode! I really worry about this situation which actually blocks me to flight my plane. Do you have any suggestions or any idea? I know that it is very general what I say but I am looking forward to speak with you more specifically about that.

    Thanks in advance for any help and looking forward to hearing from you.

    1. Dimitrios Katsoulis

      Dear Konstantinos
      thank you for your kind comments. Please find the the answers that your are looking for in your personal e-mail.

      Best regards
      Dimitris

  3. Julio

    For a junker flaperon configuretions the Mac is the sum of the wing cord plus the flaperon cord in a rectangular wing configuration??

  4. Dimitrios Katsoulis

    Dear Julio, thank you for your message.
    Normally it would be of no difference (conserning the M.A.C) when the wings of a biplane have a rectangular shape as in the well known Ultimate. 
    Best wishes for a 2020, full of flights and safe landings! 

  5. Don H

    Hi Dimitrios,

    I have a 115″ Ultimate that I am going to be building. As we know, both upper and lower wing are of equal chord. The question I have is, the wings are both swept back…will these calculations work for swept wings..??

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