Originally posted by hitech
So the basic question is , do you agree that a constant acceleration of the belt can generate a force holding an airplane back.
Your usable acceleration rate, or better said torque exercised on the wheel by belt, can be no greater than traction (friction) allows it, otherwise slippage occurs.
By your own calculation you got the rate of about 910 ft per s^ which is equivalent of 0.17 mps^ or after only one second of acceleration, you hit velocity of 620 mph. (you'd reach speed of light in just over 1,081,639 seconds)
No aircraft tire in this world has that amount of traction.
Without doing any calculation I'd say tires could hold up to no more than 100 fps^ of constant acceleration before considerable slippage occurs, hence most of your torque would go into the air (heat).