Light hearted debate for the non-debaters.

[Siphorous]

Question - can a plane take off from a conveyor belt/treadmill assuming the treadmill/conveyor belt able to support the plane's weight and match its speed?

I put it to you that a plane can in fact take off from such a contraption given that the thrust acts against the air rather than the ground. What say ye?







(This has been done a number of times I'm sure at various places/forums. I'm not sure if it's been done here (searched just once with a couple of terms) but feel free to merge if it has.)

 

[NuckingFuts]

I think it was tried on Myth Busters. But I dont remember the outcome.

 

[AUFred]

If you travel faster than the speed of light do your headlights work?

 

[HK]

Unfortunately I can't get past the comical image of a plane-sized treadmill or a treadmill-sized plane to think this through logically. My gut says it's a stupid idea because if it were possible, they'd already be doing it to save all that blasted runway space.

 

[Alien Allen]

I heard of guys in small planes on a real windy day where they would take off and then cut the engine over the runway and would just sit there floating. So I think your example is completely logical and possible.

 

[Tim]

Brain Plane

Aviation Physics Puzzle

Ponder This One

 

[Tim]

Yes the plane will fly.

Consider the following:
A plane is powered by jet propulsion or by propeller not by the wheels, a car is, so a car with wings would just sit there and never gain foward movement. But, as the plane pushes the air behind it, it will gain foward momentum regardless of what speed the belt or wheels are doing beneath it. This will cause the foward speed of the plane increases until lift is achieved. The speed of the belt driven runway would increase exponentially until the plane left the surface trying to match the speed of the unfettered plane.

A plane only requires air speed to maintain lift and regardless of the relative speed of the motorized runway beneath it, it will reach that designated air speed via rear thrust as long as there are no other forces holding it in place (ie. cable or chain)

Here's what I said about this topic back in 2005

 

[freakofnature]

Shouldn't this be in the debate section? :ninja

 

[Zorak]

I think it was tried on Myth Busters. But I dont remember the outcome.

I think I saw that, I seem to remember "confirmed".

 

[itsmeJonB]

Well if the myth busters proved it what's left to debate? Lol

 

[Siphorous]

Shouldn't this be in the debate section? :ninja

The subject matter and nature of the thread was intended to be more than just about the original question. More general material. Thanks for providing the unwanted impetus for getting it moved.

 

[freakofnature]

Perhaps we should debate whether or not this "discussion" *cough*debate*cough* thread should be moved to the debate section.

 

[itsmeJonB]

Down and out
So I'm out and down and
Looking for a substance to drown in

 

[Siphorous]

Perhaps we should debate whether or not this "discussion" *cough*debate*cough* thread should be moved to the debate section.

I can already see what type of mod you'll be. The annoying kind Perhaps we should debate that.

 

[freakofnature]

I can already see what type of mod you'll be. The annoying kind Perhaps we should debate that.

Please do.

http://www.offtopicz.net/showthread.php?p=1880846#post1880846

 

[Siphorous]

Please do.

http://www.offtopicz.net/showthread.php?p=1880846#post1880846

No ta. I've changed my mind. I'll leave that to the ones who actually voted for you in the mod *cough*popularity*cough* poll.

 

[freakofnature]

No ta. I've changed my mind. I'll leave that to the ones who actually voted for you in the mod *cough*popularity*cough* poll.

Changed your mind, eh? Scaredy cat. Or should I just call you a pansy again?

 

[Veronica]

Closed by request