Peter Duniho wrote:
wrote in message
ups.com...
An airplane lands on a conveyor belt that's moving at a constant speed
of Vref

(a) in the direction of the airplane's landing
(b) in the opposite direction of the airplane's landing

What do you suppose will happen? (b) will be rather more dicey than
(a), methinks. Presume a healthy long runway for the moment...

We had this thread already. Looks like r.a.student had it already too. See
Google Groups.

Bottom line: since an airplane doesn't rely on the wheels for propulsion,
conveyor belts have nothing to do with whether an airplane can land or
takeoff, regardless of whether that conveyor belt is moving or not moving,
forward or backward.


Takeoff is clear, Pete. But I doubt landing would be that cut-and-dry.
Remember I said the conveyor is moving at a *constant* Vref. I'm sure
that'd cause problems once the plane loses aerodynamic braking and has
to rely on ground braking.

Not sure, of course - which is why I asked you guys

Ramapriya