Aircraft taking off from a treadmill: Debate

[Curlew]

Some argue that the aircraft would not be able to lift off if it was on a treadmill because the treadmill would match its speed. Im not a fan of that theory, have my own, but for all of your sake DISCUSS!!!!!!

[whipster22]

it would because the wheels aren't the pushing back.

 thank you mythbusters

[Kermit de frog]

it would because the wheels aren't the pushing back.

 thank you mythbusters

The truck they used stopped matching the speed of the plane at some point....therefore the test proves nothing!

[Curlew]

SO IT BEGINS!!!!!! muahahahahahaha!!!!!

[Terror]

it would because the wheels aren't the pushing back.

 thank you mythbusters

Unless you subscribe to the rotational momentum theory.  If the treadmill's acceleration rate is unlimited, it could add enough energy in the opposite direction to stop the airplane.  (It takes energy to make a wheel roll)  Of course, "unlimited" does not exist in nature, so any "real world" plane will take off.

T

[Raptor]

The plane's wings cannot fit through the treadmill! It would break the wings! end of discussion

[Infidelz]

NO!

[saggs]

The thrust does not come from the wheels, so it matters not how fast the treadmill goes, if the plane rotates at 150mph, the wheels will just be going at the speed of the treadmill +150mph when it lifts off.      The plane will still move forward and lift off normally.


Now somebody else recently posted helicopter on a turntable.  That's a better one.   

[Cougar68]

Unless you subscribe to the rotational momentum theory.  If the treadmill's acceleration rate is unlimited, it could add enough energy in the opposite direction to stop the airplane.  (It takes energy to make a wheel roll)  Of course, "unlimited" does not exist in nature, so any "real world" plane will take off.

T

No it couldn't, the axles would fail long before enough force is exerted.  To say that the treadmill can accelerate infinitely to counteract forward motion just creates a feedback loop that results in the destruction of the wheels/bearings/axles.  That's the only way a treadmill could stop it from flying. 

[Lusche]

but for all of your sake DISCUSS!!!!!!

Again? I think pretty much all arguments and theories have been posted in this 400+ thread: http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,225421.0.html 

[FireDrgn]

for pete sake picture it without wheels  sitting on the tread mill...........

[Saxman]

Oh god, not again....

[Curlew]

Now somebody else recently posted helicopter on a turntable.  That's a better one.   

New topic!!!!!

[gyrene81]

LMAO...I guess you have to assume the engines are running... 

Think aircraft carrier here fellas...but in this case one that is going really fast doesn't matter how fast the treadmill is spinning the wheels...as soon as engins produces proper thrust to produce lift, the plane will take off.

As for the helicopter, it will fly but not for long...by the time it lifts the pressure off that turntable, it will be out of control and crash.

[BoilerDown]

If you ignore friction, the treadmill is incapable of stopping the aircraft.  If you consider friction, the landing gear burns up and the plane falls into the treadmill and promptly gets flung violently backwards, killing everyone.