Quote:
Originally posted by JMo:
Being a pilot, the myth that a plane could take off from a tredmill is impossible. Its not the speed the wheels are travleing that make the plane take off. its the speed of the air iver the wings which creates the lift. Now, it would be possible for a plane to land or i guess even take off vertically, given the right wind conditions for the specific plane. I've heard of a navy pilot land on an aircraft carrier the was heading into hurricane force winds. he practically hovered over the ship into the wind and touched down. his relative motion was very slow but his airspeed was still over 100 knots. just like i've had my cessna start to go back watds druing slow flight.
Um,,, That's exactly why it would take off, because the ground speed and the wheels don't matter and it's the initial thrust pushing the plane through the air that generates lift below the wings etc. Since the plane isn't anchored to the treadmill, it's going to take off no matter how fast the treadmill goes in the opposite direction.
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Must stay away from political/religious debates. Must stay away........