Wheel size for rough grass?

[Dennis Toth]

I am finally getting to where I'm thinking about flying soon here in WNC. I found a good place but the grass is rough. In FL we flew from a Soccer field that was always cut short. Here in WNC winter has set in and the grass is just left till spring, so in order to fly need to deal with the lumpy grass. I working with 35 size OTS ships, in the past I got away with 1 3/4" wheels. Do you think 2 1/4" or 2 1/2" will work?

Best,   DennisT

[Dave_Trible]

Dennis I find that 2 1/4" wheels will do the job if the grass isn't too bad.  Also I shoot for about 1 1/2" ground clearance.   The prop will still churn in the grass but hopefully not enough to prevent a takeoff.  I'm using very narrow 2 1/2" wheels on the larger airplanes.   A short launching platform- say even 24" x 48" piece of plywood gets the airplane off and rolling before it hits the grass and helps but isn't always required.

Dave

[Colin McRae]

I am finally getting to where I'm thinking about flying soon here in WNC. I found a good place but the grass is rough. In FL we flew from a Soccer field that was always cut short. Here in WNC winter has set in and the grass is just left till spring, so in order to fly need to deal with the lumpy grass. I working with 35 size OTS ships, in the past I got away with 1 3/4" wheels. Do you think 2 1/4" or 2 1/2" will work?

Best,   DennisT

Not sure you can do this at the location, but I carry a manual sling-blade weed/grass cutter in my trunk. I use it to at least cut the tall weeds and the taller grass around the model take off area. Then I would just go big at 2-1/2".

I also walk the entire circle and cut anything that might snag the lines on landing in case I don't land near the cut down takeoff area. (The side benefit of the sling blade is it offers a bit of exercise)

[Motorman]

We had a rolled up piece of carpet, unroll and take off. Just don't hang the tail wheel off the end or it will pop the tail up dramatically upon release.

MM

[Colin McRae]

We had a rolled up piece of carpet, unroll and take off. Just don't hang the tail wheel off the end or it will pop the tail up dramatically upon release.

MM

Our club also uses a section of recycled astro turf (3' wide x 20' long) at times when the grass is unwelcoming.

[Matt Neumann]

I have 3 inch wheels on my planes and fly off of grass.  But my planes are larger, 64" wingspan so the wheels look right for the plane.  So that is another reason why I use them.  But I would think 2 1/2 should work.  Don't expect a smooth take off.  I would recommend giving a bit of up upon take off to get the plane airborne as soon as possible.  Lessons the chance of hitting a chuck hole.

[redout]

My Flite Streak has wheels just over 2 and a 1/2 inches diameter and for the most part they work well flying off "fairly rough" grass. I wouldn't feel comfortable with it having 2 and a 1/4 inch wheels though. I think for a rough launching area, have the wheels as large as you can, consistent with giving you acceptable looks.