New Wheels a bummer

[airjoey]

Most of the fields I fly in have fairly long grass. So, I went for the 3" Dave Brown treaded wheels and a Dubro 1" in the back. I put the tail wheel on first (I hadn't received the DB's yet) and that was an improvement, even on pavement.

I put the original hubs on the DB wheels and all looked good. Just tried to taxi on my front lawn and could not do it: came close to nosing over every time. The wheels spin freely, so I can't figure out what's wrong.

I figure I have to be doing something wrong because so many have used the same techniques (though most with 2.5 or 2.75")

airjoey

[zeta30]

Are you giving it up rudder when you try to taxi? (meaning pulling the stick back) I've found that on grass this will help. If the grass is too long then it won't taxi at all no matter what you do. I usually do full up rudder when I take off in grass, just when it gets off the ground I let off and let the plane climb normally.

On landings you also need to give a lot of up rudder or the plane will do a quick flip over the nose. You need to time it just right when the wheels start to touch the grass then give the plane up rudder.

[grimreaper]

zeta30 said:

Are you giving it up rudder when you try to taxi? (meaning pulling the stick back) I've found that on grass this will help. If the grass is too long then it won't taxi at all no matter what you do. I usually do full up rudder when I take off in grass, just when it gets off the ground I let off and let the plane climb normally.

On landings you also need to give a lot of up rudder or the plane will do a quick flip over the nose. You need to time it just right when the wheels start to touch the grass then give the plane up rudder.

P.S. : Pulling back on the stick is indeed not rudder, but elevator...

[grimreaper]

Left and right stick is, rudder.

[zeta30]

grimreaper said:

Left and right stick is, rudder.

Yep my mistake, it was early morning when I posted the reply and I wasn't fully awake yet.

I hope I didn't cause any confusion

[airjoey]

I did go to rather barren field by my house and was able to lift off and land. I just don't like the 3", they are a little too big. If I had a golf course, it might be okay.

I've gotten pretty good at taking off and landing on asphalt and prefer that.

I guess I'm not bush pilot...

Thanks for all the input!

[grimreaper]

zeta30 said:

grimreaper said:

Left and right stick is, rudder.

Yep my mistake, it was early morning when I posted the reply and I wasn't fully awake yet.

I hope I didn't cause any confusion

You're forgiven!