> Conclusion: I won’t be abnormally shifting weight to try to increase speed.  Let’s see, during the Air Venture Cup Race, Mark’s child was heavier than Larry’s child (moving CG to the rear) yet Larry was faster.  I ran about as expected even though I had all my “stuff” in the back.  Maybe I am fast because my engine thrust line was shifted upward which reduces tail down load? 

Scott,

 

Gonna take a few days to ruminate on this one.  At first glance, however you're giving up betweeen .4 & .9 kts / inch of CG travel with 3.6 inches (or 1.4 - 3.2 kts)   left to the aft limit. That totals upwards of 3.6 kts which would kick the snot out of my competition.  (using between .6 & 1.4 kts error in your 1 kt IAS improvement).

 

I'll let you know what we discern regarding the neutral point of my ship. Nor will I be "abnormally" shifting my CG but I'll probably take up at least for bead bags (100lb) for the test and move them pax footwell to hat rack.

 

BTW, my elder son was 15 lb heavier than last year's # 2 son while Mark's daughter was substantially leaner than his previous passenger and our planes were much closer than the previous year.  Hmmmm.  Does that contradict or endorse moving CG aft?

 

Larry