So if an airplane tries to take off from a large conveyor belt ....

[HeadLever]

I can also tell you that if the conveyor accelorates at the same speed as the plane does the plane will not move and therefore not generate the required airspeed to lift off.

BZZZZZT Wrong. You would be correct if the wheels drove the airplane forward. However, the engine thrust causes the plain to move forward and the wheels just allow it to roll over whatever is underneath it. It does not matter how fast the conveyor is moving, as long as the wheel bearings can take the relative velocity between the airplane and the conveyor without failing.

 

[Dirtydude]

In the first discussion I maintained that the plane would not fly, the reason being is that in the first example the tire speed of the plane and the conveyor were exactly matched, but going opposite each other.
If the plane accelerated up the conveyor (which is possible) the speeds of the tire and conveyor would no longer be matched exactly. Following those circumstances to their conclusion would break the laws of physics.

This example leaves that stipulation out of the equation; therefore the plane is able to fly in these circumstances.


Thrust is irrelevant in both scenarios.

 

[sldgy]

In the first discussion I maintained that the plane would not fly, the reason being is that in the first example the tire speed of the plane and the conveyor were exactly matched, but going opposite each other.
If the plane accelerated up the conveyor (which is possible) the speeds of the tire and conveyor would no longer be matched exactly. Following those circumstances to their conclusion would break the laws of physics.

This example leaves that stipulation out of the equation; therefore the plane is able to fly in these circumstances.





Thrust is irrelevant in both scenarios.

YES and YES

 

[EastcapeAngler]

.. who cares??? As long as they don't run out of them little bottles of Stoli's, I can sit on the tarmack all friggin' day.

 

[Supplicate]

:beer;

 

[tudizzle]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YORCk1BN7QY&feature=related

 

[skibreeze]

Blast from the past. Who still believes that it won't fly?

 

[JDKZRT]

Blast from the past. Who still believes that it won't fly?

I'm sure there's lots out there that can't grasp it.

 

[Supplicate]

Man, I can't believe you guys are all so dense.

NO FRIKKEN WAY IT WILL EVER TAKE OFF!!!

Thats right! I said it!!

 

[HeadLever]

Blast from the past. Who still believes that it won't fly?

Too bad you cannot resurrect the original thread. Can't remember exactly how many pages that one turned out to be, but it was fun. I still get a chuckle out of remembering all the numbskulls in that one.

 

[Supplicate]

Too bad you cannot resurrect the original thread. Can't remember exactly how many pages that one turned out to be, but it was fun. I still get a chuckle out of remembering all the numbskulls in that one.

Hey, I resemble that remark! It was fun arguing that it wouldn't take off just for the hell of it.

 

[Snorider]

.. who cares??? As long as they don't run out of them little bottles of Stoli's, I can sit on the tarmack all friggin' day.

LMAO thats one hell of a way to look at it

 

[oonighttrain]

FUUNY THIS SHOULD COME BACK UP..

i was thinkning about it the other night.. was having a few beers with some guys from the neighborhhod (1 of them being a retired private and commercial pilot) and brought it up again..

as i have thought the whole time, his opinion was: it would take off..

 

[Weekday Warrior]

In the first discussion I maintained that the plane would not fly, the reason being is that in the first example the tire speed of the plane and the conveyor were exactly matched, but going opposite each other.
If the plane accelerated up the conveyor (which is possible) the speeds of the tire and conveyor would no longer be matched exactly. Following those circumstances to their conclusion would break the laws of physics.

This example leaves that stipulation out of the equation; therefore the plane is able to fly in these circumstances.


Thrust is irrelevant in both scenarios.

This guy is exactly right, and is obviously smarter than all of you

no, the plane will not fly as the question is worded.

 

[skibreeze]

hey, i resemble that remark! It was fun arguing that it wouldn't take off just for the hell of it.

lmao!

 

[opus]

The plane will not fly. Even if the plane could, it doesnt matter now. The plane would be better off sitting there and having YOUR president bail the airline company out.

 

[Abominable]

 

[Scut Farkus]

it will fly. fo sho.

 

[Snorider]

hmmm that plane looks like it needs to work out more

 

[winter4ever]

Oh man, some of those answers brought tears to my eyes...lol. Of course it will fly. besides they proved it on mythbusters.

It was funny though because there were actually some pilots on there who didnt think it would fly.

Its a lot easier to visualize when you realize that the thrust is independent of the ground, like the plane is being towed by a rope.