Quote:
Originally posted by BlueSky:
So by your statement, if the surface is moving sideways, the craft will go forward?
No, if the surface is moving sideways it would create friction with the wheels which are designed to move longitudinally, not laterally. A plane with landing gear mounted sideways would be able to create forward motion with the props/jets, but would have a hard time overcoming the additional friction. That's why the smart fellas over at lockheed and boeing like to put the wheels on longitudinally. However, if the surface was ice (or the magical friction-free or friction-light surface) and the plane could have four sets of sideways landing gear and still move forward and take off.