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Old February 4th 06, 08:31 PM posted to rec.aviation.student,rec.aviation.piloting
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Default Can a Plane on a Treadmill Take Off?


"The Flying Scotsman" wrote in message
ups.com...
Why dont we look at it from another direction !!!

If the treadmill is moving at 60 MPH in one direction and the trust is
set to pull 60 MPH in the oppisite direction, the plane would be
neither moving forward or back.


You are implying that because the treadmill is spinning the wheels at 60mph,
that the treadmill is therefore exerting a force equal and opposite the
thrust generated by the propellor neccesary to propel the plane forward at
60mph. That is incorrect.
The force that the treadmill is capable of exerting on the mass of the
aircraft through the wheels is negligible.

you WILL NEED TO
HAVE FORWARD MOMENTIUM to generate lift.....


WOW, I must have missed that in ground school.
You need airflow across the wings to generate lift. Which, because the plane
is moving forward as stated in the question, is present.


the only lift the wings will get is downwash from the prop.

and i used the word STUPID not to offend anyone, but i am right in what
i said about the aircraft.


Apparently you are the only one that thinks so.