Airplanes and Conveyor Belts - Mythbusters

On May 1, 1:18 am, ContestID67 wrote:
Question: Can a conventional powered airplane take off from a conveyor
belt which is moving at the same speed but in an opposite direction?

I was surprised at people's range and passion of answers when I asked
this of my glider club. People were absolutely sure it wouldn't work
or it would work. I guess that goes to show that performing this as a
thought experiment is not easy even for pilots.

Please make your own guess before you watch these Youtube videos (in
order) for the final answer.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=KSBFQOfas60 Starthttp://youtube.com/watch?v=S377HwOthjohttp://youtube.com/watch?v=0ul_5DtMLhc Finish

What I am really surprise about is that the "test" pilot in this video
of the airplane had the wrong answer before his attempt and was very
surprised afterwards. Well, maybe not surprised, he was a light sport
pilot after all. Personally, I knew the correct answer from the get-
go. Hint: The answer is in the wheels.

- John

Pilots (well most of them) do not understand aerodynamics. This is
proven during every hangar flying session.

Todd Smith
3S

ContestID67 wrote:
Question: Can a conventional powered airplane take off from a conveyor
belt which is moving at the same speed but in an opposite direction?

Absolutely.

The propulsion of the aircraft is provided by the prop and not the wheels.
If it were the other way around then the ship will remain stationary in
relation to the ground.

--
Message posted via http://www.aviationkb.com

Question: Can a conventional powered airplane take off from a conveyor
belt which is moving at the same speed but in an opposite direction?

You asked the question wrong. In the Video the question is:

Can a conventional powered airplane take off from a conveyor
belt which is moving at the take off speed of the airplane in the
opposite direction?

On 1 May, 20:31, tommytoyz wrote:
Question: Can a conventional powered airplane take off from a conveyor
belt which is moving at the same speed but in an opposite direction?

You asked the question wrong. In the Video the question is:

Can a conventional powered airplane take off from a conveyor
belt which is moving at the take off speed of the airplane in the
opposite direction?

Exactly.

On May 1, 12:31*pm, tommytoyz wrote:
Question: Can a conventional powered airplane take off from a conveyor
belt which is moving at the same speed but in an opposite direction?

You asked the question wrong. In the Video the question is:

Can a conventional powered airplane take off from a conveyor
belt which is moving at the take off speed of the airplane in the
opposite direction?

The wheel steering will get a bit touchy!