I need some advise. When I flew my Eagle 2 last night, it nearly took the entire runway (closely mowed grass) to take off. It's powered by an OS Max .40FP and a 10x6 prop. The strip we fly off of isn't totally flat and has some dips and bumps, and I could hear a couple of time on the take off run that the prop was hitting the grass. I don't remember the exact size wheels it has, but it's what the kit recommended. Do you think that larger diameter wheels, the nose wheel in particular would help? What else might help shorten the take off run? I've thought about a different prop, but when it's actually flying it has plenty of power to pull the plane around the sky.

Larger wheels for grass runways help a lot and don't cause any other problems. Go ahead and get bigger wheels, especially the nose wheel.

I fly off a pretty rough field. One of the older, pardon me, more experienced guys told me to always use slightly bigger wheels than called for.

How does the plane balance? A nose heavy condition will produce this effect. An improperly sized prop, too large or small, will also hinder takeoff speed. Wing and stab incidence could be off as well, or even engine thrust. Just throwing all the ideas I can come up with.
Good Luck.

bigger wheels, I fly at a sod farm with high grass (for flying anyway) and I have 3 3/4" wheels on my superstar

Look carefully at the plane's attitude on the ground.
Make sure it isn't "nose down". Even a little bit can cause you to struggle, especially when "learning".
I've gone so far as to make some of my planes a couple degrees "nose up" before, by
sliding the nose gear down farther in the bearing or engine mount. (if you have enough adjustment)

Worst case, yeah... go with some 2.5" or 3" wheels, if you're running smaller right now.
Won't hurt a thing

If your having trouble picking up speed you might want to get a prop with a bit more pitch to it.

Looks like the nose is 1 3/4 and the mains are 2 1/4 so I will definately swap them for larger wheels. I notice that there is definately a nose-down attitude when the plane is sitting on the ground so I will also increase the nose wheel size.

I'd go with 3" wheels all around when flying off grass. And actually, an 11 X 5 prop would make your take off runs shorter. Larger diameter and smaller pitch will add torque, improving vertical pull, and improving take offs.
Dennis-

Good to go on the larger wheels... and do get the nose up "level" at least.

DBCherry is "right on" with the 11x5, by the way. Static thrust is where it's at, for acceleration.

Sorry MasterSmasher... but while the larger pitches may equate to higher speeds inflight... they
are also notorious for taking awhile to get there... increasing what is already a long takeoff run.

1. A 10x5 or 10.5x5 will be much more efficient on that engine/trainer combo. It will assist in shortening your take-off run. Though your model will fly marginally slower it'll accelerate and decelerate better.

2. Make sure your engine is actually tuned to achieve max RPM for that prop, then richen it +2 clicks.

3. Don't depart from the intersection. Use all the runway for take-off. Backtrack if you have to.

At my field we advise everyone to put at least a .46 in their trainer, preferably a ball bearing .46. As most have mentioned here, larger wheels will definitely help with the takeoff but depending on the condition of the grass, that .40 FP may still struggle a bit. The wheels that come with most ARF's are usually too small for a grass field.

I never use an FP..too underpowered..I use the OS FS or new AX 46....never underpower a plane..it needs all u can give it on takeoff..

Wish I'd known that before I learned on a PT 40 with a 40 FP, then flew my second plane, a Super Sportster with another 40 FP for over a year, off a grass runway.

Learning to fly "on the wing" is a dieing art I guess.
Dennis-

DBCherry,

Flying on the wing went the same way as kit building.....

ARF??? REAL mean don't fly ARF's

That .40 FP is 18 years old and has PLENTY of power. The problem was definately the size of the wheels and the nose down attitude. I put 3" on the mains and 2.75" on the nose and adjusted the nose gear so that the plane was level. It takes off now in less than half the distance it was before.

Hmm......I wonder if Mike McConville is watching.

Glad to hear you were successful Connery. I really thought the wheels (and not the FP) was the problem.
Dennis-

I don't know any good 3D pilots that are bad wing flyers. Most started flying on the wing and wanted more of a challenge.

It's amazing that that attitude is still out there.
It's over, Kit building is only there now to satisfy the needs of those who enjoy building for the most part.

I put 4" wheels on my taildragger LT-40. Now it has no tendency to nose over on taxi and rolls like a dream.

The fact that someone is amazed at the kit building attitude is a sure sign that the instant gratification crowd has grown. Kit builders will always be around doing the things that ARFers will never do.

I can only assume you are talking about the actual building. It certainly doesn't pertain to a better flying plane. I don't need instant gratification. I'll get an arf and it will sometimes sit in the unopened box as long or longer than it would take someone to build it. The simple fact is that arf's are the logical choice for everyone except those who enjoy building. There are plenty of great quality arfs out there that a kit builder would be at a loss to improve upon. It's not about instant gratification. It's about practicality.

i think it is more about flying... kit builders like building, ARF flyers like flying. personally, i'm in the hobby for flying, building a kit just takes up valuable time I could be using for flying.

Of course some of us just like to build kits so that we can customize the color scheme. ARFs are pretty limited in that respect.