Plane on a treadmill poll...

[joecoolfreak]

I am not assuming anything, but if it makes things easier for you, I will just use your exact words to make my point.

The question states that if it is on a treadmill that can match the speed of the wheels will it TAKE OFF, not move.

Let's stop there for a minute and review. The question does state that it is on a treadmill and the treadmill can match the speed of the wheels. So you are correct so far.

The answer is no.

Ooops, and you were doing so well. Wrong answer. The correct answer is yes, the plane will take off. I didn't have to assume anything, you are WRONG. The question didn't say anything about the plane staying still. In fact, it is quite impossible for the plane to do so since the wheels are free wheeling which of course was mentioned in the original question.

The cause for lift is the air across the wings (pressure vs velocity) we all agree on this. In this scenario the only thing generating airflow is the engine. The engine will not generate enough air flow on a plane standing still to take off.

So you do understand how a plane works, but you are still stuck on the plane standing still WHICH IS IMPOSSIBLE and was never mentioned in the original question.

Think of it like this. If you could force a plane to be stuck horizontally in one spot and it could only move vertically, could the air flow from the engines push enough air against the entire wing to generate lift (and cause the plane to rise). No

Where in the world is your odd tangent going? Where did you get the idea that the plane was stationary? If it wasn't from the original question, where do you get these silly ideas?

Who the fuck cares if it is powered by the wheels, the bottom line is if its on a treadmill the plane is stuck horizontally, there in lies the issue of lacking lift. Period.

Which of course is still impossible and never asked in the question.

Thanks for playing and please come again =-)