CG: Adding Ballast to Tail

[lrobichaux]

Does anyone have experience in adding ballast to the tail of an EX/FX-3 to shift the CG back with as little weight as possible? Majority of my flying is solo and I've been maintaining a favorable CG by adding quite a bit of weight on the rear cargo area. Looking to achieve the same result with less weight. Tailwheel is Acme Stinger + baby bush wheel. Would prefer an option where it's not terribly difficult to remove the tail ballast as needed for the specific mission. TIA! (pic for attention).

 

[Cactus Charlie]

I used to fly a couple of PA-18-180 that were Restricted category glider tugs. Both had lead blocks attached using the tail spring bolts.

The CG of my FX-3 is perfect with just the essential drinking water, tool bag, and tie downs at the aft end of the baggage compartment so I have not explored adding tail ballast.

"Perfect CG" - My trim is zero for cruise and for approach and landing with only very small adjustment required. The only time it is significantly away from the zero trim drag configuration is for takeoff with flaps. For takeoff I set about 1/3 nose down. This makes it easy to raise the tail and I'm in trim for the full power flaps 1 climb out. Trim goes back to zero after flap retract.

My trim scale is custom with a takeoff green band present only on the ground.