I need to purchase 3 new wheels for my e-flite apprentice becasue the stock are too small to take off in grass
I found which wheels i want, 2 1/2 inch foams, but they only come in sets of 2 and i need 3. I dont want to spend an extra $5, any suggestions? do i need to replace the front wheel or will i just have to purchase 2 sets and have a spare
thanks

Learn how to hand launch.

Your kidding right?  You don't want to spend the extra cost, a few dollars. I have to say that your probably not going to be in this hobby very long if 3 dollars hurts . Heck if you were here I'd give you one. Ask around at your club , I'm sure someone will give you a freebee. The cost of an extra tire which you may or may not ever use is a rather minor thing in this hobby, even for a beginner.

Yeah, that's fairly typical. At one time I remember when a shop would just sell one. Not anymore. So either scrounge around amongst friends or club members, or just go out and buy what you need. I know the feeling. You'll get very discriminating in your purchases.

Dittos!

An excellent skill to learn, click on the vid with the wheelchair here:

http://kingmanmodelers.net/videos.htm

The vendors know what quantities are typically required. So, wheels are sole in twos whereas we often require three. Similarly, servos are solved in quantities of 3, 6 and 12 when sold in bulk whereas we often need 4, 7 etc. That way you definately need to purchase the additional unit.

But go ahead and purchase, it will help you in your next build. For example, I bought 6 servos twice and used 4 each time. Now I have 4 servos spare for my next project and I could purchase only 3 next time

Ameyam

Easy,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Just buy the two, then find your self a nice piece of wood, a sharp knife and a 6 pack of beer!

Your "custom" front wheel will make a great conversation piece at the field.

okay thanks for the quick responses
And yes, i am brand new, this is my first plane and i've flown it once
I guess i'll have that spare lying around as i haven't joined a club yet

Also another consideration that makes packaging by threes impractical is the fact that the majority of airplanes will have a smaller nose gear than the mains and the size disparity is not at all uniform.

John

Just buy 4 and put one away in a drawer or something. As time goes by, that drawer will become full of extra stuff.

In about 20 years, you'll never have to buy anything and just pull spare items from you stockpile

Like all builders I have a big pile of tanks and wheels under the bench, not always the same size or size needed but I have them. This week I went to a fly in and the venders had a lot of very cool stuff, both new and used. One of the guys I was with bought a big hand full of wheels for almost nothing, most of them brand new.
The bigger shows and fly ins are a great place to buy extra stuff. Club auctions can also be even better.
It's true, in this hobby a few extra bucks is just the price you pay to stay in it. I don't need any more props but every time I go into a hobby shop I usuall end up with at least one. I can't seem to ever walk out without a bag of clevises or hinges. Like Mike said, over time you don't need to keep making trips to the LHS for parts.

Buy the extra wheel. I have a ton of wheels now and rarely need to go to the hobby shop for them now. You may not need it now, but who knows, in the future you may build another trike geared plane.

Helpful hint - cut a short piece of fuel tubing and slide it over the end of the axle just in case the wheel collar's set screw comes loose. But then, if you loose a wheel in flight you'll need that 4th wheel and you already have a spare.

looks like a good reason to buy another plane to me then 6 will be the right number.  I have used this lodgic and it works out well.

I admire you John http://kingmanmodelers.net/JohnB2.wmv

Thanks MJ

is that a Playboy you are flying?

Yes its the eighty inch version, silkspan and dope with OS 35AX The perfect engine for it that will pull unlimited verticals and throttle back to loiter on a three ounce tank for 34 minutes.

John

If you have just started, I can understand your confusion, but there's much more ahead of you in learning to fly model Aircraft.. In your statement you mentioned you don't belong to any club.
That is your First mistake when trying to learn to fly a plane on your own.
Join a club in your area, many people in this insane hobby, (LOL) will give you advise and save you a lot of money in the end. Please don't fly any plane by yourself. If something happens, prop strike, or whatever, if alone, you are in big trouble my friend.
Get an instructor that will help set your plane up correctly, get the throw's right, check the balance, etc, plus he has already been through this process, he know's what you need and don't in beginning to be an RC Pilot.He should also tell you to join the AMA, for Insurance purposes.
It is a" must have" card to fly at any sanctioned R/C Field.
On the wheel's issue, itis thestart of a minor expense in this hobby. You will have more, many more expenses as you will find out later.
.

It took me less than four years to get there!

Damn addiction!