Hello all,
looking at planes and build logs for competition stunt planes, I see that they all make provision to move the position where  the leadouts exit the inside wing to move backwards and forwards.

What is the impact on the planes handling when you do this?

If this has been covered before, please point me at the right link.

Jonathan

To a point -- when you start experimenting with leadout position you find that as you move them in one direction or the other your overhead tension will get better and better, then start getting worse.  It just ends up being cut and try.

Edit:  Mark already mentioned searching, and Paul Walker's trim chart in another reply to one of your questions.  Both are valid -- figure out how to do searches here and you'll find lots and lots of material on each one of your questions.  And, maybe you'll find a copy of Paul's trim chart, too.  IIRC Paul's chart doesn't tell you how to change things, but it does point to what to change first, then next, etc.

You can get very close to the optimal position by using Bob Reeves's Line III: http://www.tulsacl.com/Linelll.html .

Tho I agree entirely with all the above, at one contest it was suggested to me (wrongly, it turned out) that I should move my LO's forward. I did. It didn't help, but before I moved them back again, I thought I'd try moving the CG forward a bit, to make a match with the more forward LO's. THAT helped. Like Brett says, put the CG where it needs to be, and don't worry about the added weight. You have to trim the airplane, regardless. This also suggests that if you can't build light, at least lengthen the nose 1" or more, to prevent tailheavy planes from happening again and again. FYI, most electrics are coming out tailheavy, if that applies to your new project.  Steve

Thank you for everybody's replies.

Jonathan