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After worrying the thing to death, I finally decided to put the pilot’s seat on rails, in order to micro-adjust the CG for different weight pilots.  After all, not all pilots weigh the same, and the pilot sits quite far back from the CG.

The steel rails have holes placed at 70kg, 80kg, 90kg, 100kg, 110kg stations.  All the pilot has to do is to slide the seat back or forward to correspond with his (or her) weight, drop in the locking pins (both sides), and the CG will automatically be in the correct lateral position for safe flying.

Some other changes:
(1) The fin has been moved back 300mm, in order to increase the rudder moment arm to a very generous distance.  In fact, it now exceeds that of the very well-behaved HM293

(2) A triangular main gear leg allows one to swap them (left/right) which transforms the undercarriage from tail-gragger to tricycle.  Of course, one also has to remove the bolt-on tail or nose gear and replace it with the other flavour.  Both nose and tailwheels will be supplied as part of the kit.

(3) I have zeroed-in on the ideal powerplant:  The Aeromarine v-twin.  60kg (with prop, redrive, starter, radiator – yes, it’s water-cooled), EFI 60hp.  Actually, any powerplant with at least 35hp can be used, but then correct CG placement becomes an issue depending on weight.  One extremely interesting development with the Aeromarine v-twin is that they are currently developing a v-twin HYBRID electric motor.  No details re: weight, power or cost, but watch this space.

(4) I am in discussion with Cato Props (as well as a local prop guru) with a view to getting a custom (quiet) prop fitted.