Forward CG Experience

"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
news:zR5tb.196731$HS4.1666204@attbi_s01...
Recently we flew with a friend who weighs over 320 pounds. With he and I
in the front seat [...]

Argh! "With him and me in the front seat". Sorry, pet peeve.

Anyway, some comments:

* Wind only reduces groundspeed. It has no effect on control effectiveness
for a given airspeed.
* As you found, forward CG translates into increased drag, which means
airspeed drops off quicker than usual. You can either carry more airspeed
on final (scrubbing off to normal touchdown speed in the flare, but doing so
more quickly than normal) or you can use more power (using thrust to offset
the extra drag).

The only thing aft CG isn't good for is stability. Otherwise, it's a good
thing. I prefer to fly my airplane with the CG as far aft as practical (and
legal, of course).

Pete