A question to answers all questions...not really but take a look anyway haha

[GuitaristZ]

A plane is standing on runway that can move (some sort of band conveyer). The plane moves in one direction, while the conveyer moves in the opposite direction. This conveyer has a control system that tracks the plane speed and tunes the speed of the conveyer to be exactly the same (but in opposite direction).

The question is:

Will the plane take off or not? Will it be able to run up and take off?

Have fun debating! My personal stance is that the plane will take off because the plane is not dependant upon its wheels for propulsion. The plane is reliant upon its engines for propulsion and therefore the speed of the conveyor belt is irrelevant.

[Schluppy]

The plane is reliant upon its engines for propulsion

Propulsion alone won't make a plane fly. To lift off a plane requires air flow over its wings. (Bernoulli's Principle (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernoulli%27s_Principle))

In your scenario the plane is stationary thus no moving air == no lift == no taking off.

[noobcake]

Propulsion alone won't make a plane fly. To lift off a plane requires air flow over its wings. (Bernoulli's Principle (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernoulli%27s_Principle))

In your scenario the plane is stationary thus no moving air == no lift == no taking off.
yup:tongue:

[PaulS]

I agree with the no take off theory...

[rbwi]

Schluppy wrote :( Propulsion alone won't make a plane fly. To lift off a plane requires air flow over its wings. (Bernoulli's Principle)

In your scenario the plane is stationary thus no moving air == no lift == no taking off.)

you my friend are right.
it won't take off.

it is a plane and not an helicopter.

[Hamm Guitars]

The plane will not take off, as no lift will be created as no air is flowing over or under its wings. Since the plane is not moving, it is below its stall speed.

In a somewhat related matter, when I was a kid my brother told me that if you stood in the middle of the aisle of an airplane and jumped, the back of the plane would hit you at 700Mph and squash you like a bug. When ever we went on a plane I was very careful to always keep one foot on the floor at all times to avoid getting splatted.

[iaresee]

There's a great debate on this problem (and how poorly specified it really is) here (http://www.boingboing.net/2006/12/11/airplanetreadmill_pr.html).

[GuitaristZ]

In a somewhat related matter, when I was a kid my brother told me that if you stood in the middle of the aisle of an airplane and jumped, the back of the plane would hit you at 700Mph and squash you like a bug. When ever we went on a plane I was very careful to always keep one foot on the floor at all times to avoid getting splatted.
:eek: thats freaky...I would be pretty scared if somebody told me that...