Can a Plane on a Treadmill Take Off?

What problem are you reading?

The one provided....but I clearly stated that I was replying to a
speciifc section...see message I replied to. What are you reading?
The section is,
"a conveyer belt that moves in the opposite direction at exactly the speed that the airplane is
moving forward."

I didn't see anything about wheel speed mentioned or implied. If you inferred it,
I'd suggest that is a product of your inference, not of the author's
implication.

Actually, you're reading into the statement...which is exactly my
point. Yet, after pointing this out, you still completely missed it.
Even funnier, you then turn an imply that I completley missed the boat.
If I state, "when I jump out of a window, I will hit the ground", it
does not mean I'm falling as I type this. It clearly means, when one
happens, so will the other. It in no way, shape, or form, implies that
it's happening or has happened. Which clearly opens the door that the
speed is zero, or at least can be. A plane will not fly with zero air
over it's wings, producing zero lift.

In other words, you ASSUMED that speed was not zero and Cecil ASSUMED
the runway was not driven by it's own motor. Lots of assumptions.
What are you reading?

You then go on to talk about left turns you madel. Simply stated, it
is *all* about wheel speed and lift; depending on wihch assumptions you
want to make. If the plane is moving forward, the wheel is turning
faster than the treadmill.; thusly allowing you to generate lift as
forward motion allows for air over the wings. If the wheel is turning
slower than the treadmill, then you are moving backwards. Thusly, a
delta of zero or less means NO LIFT...NO FLIGHT.

This isn't exactly rocket science...

"Greg Copeland" wrote:


In other words, you ASSUMED that speed was not zero
If one applies power to the plane (and yes, I am assuming that is
implied in the question of whether the plane takes off normally), and
the conveyor only moves backward at the same rate as the plane moves
forward, yes, the plane will move forward.

and Cecil ASSUMED
the runway was not driven by it's own motor.
As said before, I saw no such assumption, and in fact would assume the
opposite. I see no way for the conveyer to move without its own power.

Lots of assumptions.
What are you reading?

You then go on to talk about left turns you madel. Simply stated, it
is *all* about wheel speed and lift
Maybe for you. I didn't see anything about wheel speed.

If the wheel is turning
slower than the treadmill, then you are moving backwards.

If you are moving backwards, and the conveyer, according to the
statement of the problem, is moving backwards at the same rate as the
plane is moving forwards, what direction is it moving?

Thusly, a
delta of zero or less means NO LIFT...NO FLIGHT.

I still don't know what delta you are referring to, but I think we are
in agreement that a plane will not fly backwards. (Jokes about canards
aside).

This isn't exactly rocket science...
No, it's the wheels that are confusing folks. Make it "rocket science"
and it would become clearer. g

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