View Single Post
Old 01-28-2008, 06:15 PM   #75
photon
The new goggles also do nothing.
 
photon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Calgary
Exp:
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by GreatWhiteEbola View Post
The runway/ treadmill. Gravity is sticking the plane to the runway. If there is no thrust the plane will move in the same direction as the treadmill. Opposite of what is required for an adequate airspeed for lift off.
Right, but the force of that drag is no where close to the force of the thrust. The plane is on wheels which are designed to roll with minimal friction.

Quote:
Now, I'm assuming that the treadmill with be matching the forward thrust of the plane or the experiment is debating a moot point as we all know how a plane works.
That's the assumption of the scenario.. now if you could spin the treadmill fast enough that the friction of the wheels generated enough drag to counteract the thrust perfectly, then yes the plane would stand still and nothing would happen. Though more likely the plane would flip over if that much drag was generated at the landing gear.
__________________
Uncertainty is an uncomfortable position.
But certainty is an absurd one.
photon is offline   Reply With Quote