Interesting Theory of planes on treadmills.

[brady]

Question :

A plane is standing on a runway that can move (some sort of band conveyer). The plane moves in one direction, while the conveyer moves in the opposite direction. This conveyer has a control system that tracks the plane speed and tunes the speed of the conveyer to be exactly the same (but in opposite direction). Remember that the planes wheels do not produce thrust.

The question is:

Will the plane take off or not? Will it be able to run up and take off?


I know this question is rather vague. Feel free to ask questions.

 

[Juice Daddy]

simple physics, no air resistance against the wings...

 

[PZEROFGH]

o wow confusing edit edit edit edit lol

 

[TheMajor]

Can't take off cause the plane is not moving.

 

[brady]

Technically the plane can move... Remember that the wheels of the plane don't generate thrust. This is a huge debate on the internet right now. Of course this is all theory until someone with enough money can setup an experiment.

 

[GameGURU]

Wait...

If the Conveyer is moving say to the left, and the plane is moving to the right, at the same speed they are going no where.

It would be the same thing as the plane sitting on the ground not moving at all.

 

[TheMajor]

It would be the same thing as the plane sitting on the ground not moving at all.

Exactly. The plane aint moving.

 

[Juice Daddy]

bradybnmci was saying that the wheels are not what gives it thrust..., this is true..., but as stated, the plane is not moveing... thus no air is pushing up on the wings...

 

[Nubius]

It would be the same thing as the plane sitting on the ground not moving at all.

Yup...the whole point of a treadmill be it for humans or airplanes is so you can move while staying in one spot...the airplane would just be sitting there with it's wheels spinning...the whole reason airplanes can fly is as they move along the ground the air moves along the wings and causes upward thrust.

If this is a 'huge debate' on the internet right now, not only is it a sad day for internet debates, but the people arguing that the plane would fly are idiots.

Even a child should be able to come to the conclusion that if the plane itself isn't moving it wont fly.....the wheels can spin at the speed of light, doesn't mean the plane will fly

Of course this is all theory until someone with enough money can setup an experiment.

it'd be a waste of time considering any one with half a brain could tell you right off the bat

 

[brady]

The question was copied from a physics forum so I appologize if It wasn't very specific.

Here is an answer from a pilot : http://www.avweb.com/news/columns/191034-1.html