Need Advice! Taking off on grass

[TreyCoop]

Hi! I am currently in the process of building a 3D-printed airplane. I would like to have the plane take off on grass or turf. However, when I have tested it previously it has gotten stuck and will not takeoff. I am planning to print skinnier and larger diameter wheels for the plane to help it push through grass blades. However, I was wondering if there is anything else I can do to the design of the wheels or plane to help it take off. Thank you in advance!

 

[Bricks]

I would not go thinner as thinner will let it sink down farther into the grass, have enough power?

 

[Taildragger]

Hi! I am currently in the process of building a 3D-printed airplane. I would like to have the plane take off on grass or turf. However, when I have tested it previously it has gotten stuck and will not takeoff. I am planning to print skinnier and larger diameter wheels for the plane to help it push through grass blades. However, I was wondering if there is anything else I can do to the design of the wheels or plane to help it take off. Thank you in advance!

You will want larger diameter and “fatter” tires to float on the grass

 

[TreyCoop]

I would not go thinner as thinner will let it sink down farther into the grass, have enough power?

Well I'm pretty sure I have enough power. I initially tested it on a turf field and it accelerated. However, I tested it on a different field this time around and it got stuck (I guess the turf is too tall).

 

[TreyCoop]

You will want larger diameter and “fatter” tires to float on the grass
View attachment 226345

Thank you for the advice!

 

[Merv]

... I was wondering if there is anything else I can do...!

Mow the grass shorter. The key to flying off grass is short grass. 1 to 1.5 inches tall is ideal.

 

[TyreseFox]

Building a 3D-printed airplane sounds like an exciting project! Reminds me of when I was trying to get my RC car to zoom smoothly over my thyme lawn. I found that increasing the wheel diameter and slimming them down helped a lot. You might also consider adding some tread patterns for better grip on grass.