What happens if you put an airplane on a very big treadmill?
02-02-2006, 07:27 PM
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What happens if you put an airplane on a very big treadmill?
The runway sized treadmill is going backwards and increases speed as throttle is applied.
Would it be able to take off?
Take it away boys and girls...
Would it be able to take off?
Take it away boys and girls...
02-02-2006, 07:31 PM
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no....lift is created by air movement over the wings. IF it was on a treadmill it would remain stationary, and therefore never take off. just waste a lot of fuel.
02-02-2006, 07:34 PM
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If the Plane is still creating thrust to its max takeoff speed, and the treadmill is keeping up. the planes engines would burn out before it would take off. The IS airflow around the wings abit very little flow, but it wouldnt be enough to lift the plane off the ground.
02-02-2006, 07:50 PM
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The plane would take off.
Wheel friction, even in reverse direction would not be enough to over come thrust.
The plane may however take off in a hover as the treadmill increases speed with throttle up.
Wheel friction, even in reverse direction would not be enough to over come thrust.
The plane may however take off in a hover as the treadmill increases speed with throttle up.
02-02-2006, 08:12 PM
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Let me breech my thoughts here.
The plane will move forward because of thrust.
Thrust is presure, the presure behind the plane will be much greater than in front.
The wheels will roll on the tread mill, whocares, it will be thrust relative the space around it.
Planes dont need wheels to take off, its not the wheels that move them forward?
Float planes take off from rivers all the time, sort of a treadmill?
The plane will move forward because of thrust.
Thrust is presure, the presure behind the plane will be much greater than in front.
The wheels will roll on the tread mill, whocares, it will be thrust relative the space around it.
Planes dont need wheels to take off, its not the wheels that move them forward?
Float planes take off from rivers all the time, sort of a treadmill?