Originally posted by eskimo2
So, you do recognize that there would be a difference... Now imagine that the acceleration rate of the conveyor is doubled. That “slightly greater takeoff roll” would now be “slightly greater” times 2… Right? Now imagine that the acceleration rate of the conveyor is 10,000 times what you were initially imagining… It is a very big force now.
Imagine a question that asks, “Could a team of mice be as strong as a team of men?” If you assume that there are the same number of mice as men, then clearly the answer is no, the men are stronger. But “team” is not defined. “Team” for men could be two, and “Team” for mice could be 200,000.
In the question where the conveyor must match the plane’s speed, an analogy could be: pitting men against the same number of mice. In the question where the conveyor must match the plane’s wheel speed, however, an analogy could be: pitting men against a much larger number of mice. Don’t assume that they have to be the same number!
Actually upon thinking about it I take that back, I doubt the take off roll would change.
I think the added rolling resistance from the wheels extra rpm imparted by the conveyor would be negligable.
Just to clear up your belt sander test results, the reason the wheel is pulled back by the sander belt when its turned on is due to the inertia of the wheel at rest. The rest inertia must be overcome while the wheel spins up to belt sander speed.
At real life scales this wheel inertia would have a minimal effect on the take off roll distance of the aircraft.
But you are right, there is an effect. But not a large enough effect to counteract the final result that the airplane would fly.
Eskimo, do you agree the airplane will fly?
