What's MOST interesting about this thread is its been able to illustrate those able to think, and those unable to think. (Well)

laugh

It seems the major mistake is thinking a plane moves like an Xterra.

If we remove that one obstacle, maybe 90% of the "Can't Fly" camp will see the light.

The Plane = Xterra confusion renders them thinking that the foward thrust of the engine won't make the plane go forward.

All the rollerskate, skateboard, ice, etc...analogies are lost on them...

The next concept is that the tires will move foward at a different actual speed than their rotation.

What the "Can't flies" are imagining is an Xterra on this belt, trying to go forward...and its just sitting there, spinning it's tires faster and faster as the belt matches its speed.

Of course, the Xterra can ONLY move if pushed by its tires...so the X = plane crowd are dead on about the X part.

laugh

The next BIG concept is that the plane's TIRE'S ARE NOT PUSHING IT.

The Engines thrust is pushing it...and the engines have NO idea what's going on down there...they just push the plane forward.

If we say that the ground speed of the plane and the air speed of the plane are the same based upon GPS coordinates during the take off...it might help.

OK - I'm firing up the engines...we have thrust....it pushes the plane forwards, to new GPS coordinates further down the accellerating conveyor, which is rolling under the plane at the plane's speed...

So the plane is moving across the gps coordinates at say 20 mph, and the belt is going towards it at 20 mph...so the tires are spinning at 40 mph....the plane is NOT where it started by GPS...its further down the belt's length.

By the time the plane's speed across the gps coordinates reaches it's take off speed, enough lift will be created by the air rushing over the wings, and the plane will be way down the runway/end of the conveyor belt...and the plane will be able to take off.

So - Main Concepts:

1. Plane not = Xterra

2. Thrust pushes plane, doesn't care what tires are doing....plane moves forward through GPS coordinates.

3. Thrust accelerates plane, forward motion is creating airflow over the wings, as the wings don't care what the tires are doing either.

4. Plane can take off when airflow over wings is fast enough.

I can't BELIEVE how many people this doesn't make sense to.

laugh
_________________________
- TJ

2001 Xterra '03 VG33, SE 5 spd, 305/70/16's, Revolvers, UBSkidderz, Doubled AAL's, 3"SL/2"BL, winch/bumpers, skids, sliders, OBA, Snorkel, pine stripes....

Friends don't let friends drive stock.

http://www.gifsoup.com/view/501230/tj-tackling-crawlers-ridge-o.gif