Will the plane take off :: The Ultimate Debate

[PhaLanX]

This debate has been around forever... and Im bringing it to GamingVidz because I think it should make for some interesting discussion. Lets hear your choice and your best reasoning.

Here it is...

If a plane is traveling at takeoff speed, yet rather than a runway, it is on a converyor belt. If the belt is matching the planes speed in the opposite direction, can the plane take off?

Live or Die? Make your choice!

[birddakilla]

So the conveyor is moving lets say from north to south and the plain is facing north?

If im reading it right then i would say no.. The lift comes from wind on the wings not the speed of the wheels moving..

Shit it reminds me of a DMV question.. Its confusing as hell...

EDIT... Im so lost

[Mathiasa]

No.

As the conveyor belt is moving, and the plane is moving it wont.

[AMidgetAndAClub]

I am still on the fence about this one.

The wheels of the plane are "free spinning". The movement of the plane is caused by the thrust of the planes engines.

But if the treadmill is going back at 150mph and the planes take off speed (that would create enough lift in order for it to take off) was 150mph, then I don't think the plane would take off.

But if the wheels are free spinning, it wouldn't matter what the treadmill was doing because the engine is not connected to the ground.

[Sk8OwNzZz]

Does the belt have "grip"? If it does, than I say definitely not because it will hold it back but if it doesnt have grip, it will slide, so it cant take off anyway. Lose/Lose situation IMO. I say "No".

[AMidgetAndAClub]

Originally Posted by Sk8OwNzZz

Does the belt have "grip"? If it does, than I say definitely not because it will hold it back but if it doesnt have grip, it will slide, so it cant take off anyway. Lose/Lose situation IMO. I say "No".

It wouldn't matter because the free spinning wheels negate any friction created by the treadmill.

[PhaLanX]

Originally Posted by PhaLanX

If a plane is traveling at takeoff speed

Originally Posted by Mathiasa

No.

As the conveyor belt is moving, and the plane is moving it wont.

Yes, it will take off...

... the wind over the wings does not come from wheel speed, it comes from the speed of the plane in relation to the earth.

Plus, since the wheels are free-spinning and literally do NOTHING besides let the plane roll safely without scraping on the ground and destroying the plane. The wheels and conveyor belt actually have no effect on the planes take-off abilities.

The wheels speed will vary greatly, but the actual speed of the plane will not.

[SNÖT]

Originally Posted by PhaLanX

Yes, it will take off...

... the wind over the wings does not come from wheel speed, it comes from the speed of the plane in relation to the earth.

Plus, since the wheels are free-spinning and literally do NOTHING besides let the plane roll safely without scraping on the ground and destroying the plane. The wheels and conveyor belt actually have no effect on the planes take-off abilities.

The wheels speed will vary greatly, but the actual speed of the plane will not.

well how can it get the speed to get the wind it needs if the belt is slowing it down

it cud take off...but it wud have to go faster than it usually needs to go

[PhaLanX]

Originally Posted by I EAT SNOT

well how can it get the speed to get the wind it needs if the belt is slowing it down

it cud take off...but it wud have to go faster than it usually needs to go

ok, when the plane is moving via the thrusters.... the wheels dont actually do anything. think of the plane as hovering above the ground. essentially that is the case. so... when the engine thrusters go... the plane moves forward. if the plane is hovering, not going anywhere, then needs to get to a certain speed to 'lift off'... how would the conveyor belt have any impact on that? ... it wouldnt

[QUINN]

I am no aerospace scientist, but to me I dont think it works just like that, so I am going with no