Plane on a Treadmill

[twittkop]

This is what the Mythbusters are using...

This is a sneak peek video from the Discovery Channel site and gives you a little insight into how they are going to tackle this myth: Airplane on a treadmill sneak peek video

 

[herbicide]

If you consider gravity thrust, then yes, thrust is acting on the plane.

Laws of physics police here,

Nope, that force is friction. Gravity by itself would not do it.

Also, for those who are saying that if it was the wheels driving the plane, it would not advance in its position on the treadmill, that is incorrect as well. If equal amounts of force that the plane's engine was applied to the wheels instead, it would accelerate in the same fashion. It matters not how the force is applied, it only matters the direction the force is applied. If you did the same test with a car, remote control car, etc. it would act in the same manner, advancing on the treadmill. This is assuming the treadmill is matching the speed of the vehicle, not the speed of the wheels.

The planet earth is a great example of this. It spins really fast in one direction, but we can move in any direction on its surface.

*remember I am not arguing the outcome of the original question. Just explaining laws of physics.

 

[CyinCo]

This is a sneak peek video from the Discovery Channel site and gives you a little insight into how they are going to tackle this myth: Airplane on a treadmill sneak peek video

Awesome preview. I'm excited for the episode. I know. I'm a nerd.

In the model plane on a conveyor belt, the belt is obviously too short for the plane to move forward and take-off. But they will definitely see that the plane will move forward.

In the truck pulling the tarp with a plane going the other direction, I think we will actually see the plane take-off. It will gain speed in the other direction depite the tarp moving and, if it runs out of tarp, we'll see the tires squak at the change of rotational speed, but the plane itslef will continue to accelerate and eventually leave the ground.

 

[tim_redd]

That plane is taking off, no doubt about it.

 

[cyflier]

Former airline pilot here

I am a former airline pilot and this is the dumbest thing I have ever heard of. In no way will the plane get off of the ground. Planes fly by the pressure change created under the wings causing the wings to create lift. The only way this will occur is if there is airflow over the wings. If the plane is on a treadmill, it will be moving in place and therefore there will be no airflow over the wings. Wheel speed has nothing to do with a plane flying.

 

[tim_redd]

Re: Former airline pilot here

I am a former airline pilot and this is the dumbest thing I have ever heard of. In no way will the plane get off of the ground. Planes fly by the pressure change created under the wings causing the wings to create lift. The only way this will occur is if there is airflow over the wings. If the plane is on a treadmill, it will be moving in place and therefore there will be no airflow over the wings. Wheel speed has nothing to do with a plane flying.

Think about that a little more...

 

[Jerry1982]

Re: Former airline pilot here

Planes fly by the pressure change created under the wings causing the wings to create lift. The only way this will occur is if there is airflow over the wings.

I'm not a pilot, but I thought the pressure change was on top of the wing. :mask:
Alas, don't let that distract from the question that this thread started with. I'm with those who say the plane flies. :yes:

 

[twittkop]

Re: Former airline pilot here

I am a former airline pilot and this is the dumbest thing I have ever heard of. In no way will the plane get off of the ground. Planes fly by the pressure change created under the wings causing the wings to create lift. The only way this will occur is if there is airflow over the wings. If the plane is on a treadmill, it will be moving in place and therefore there will be no airflow over the wings. Wheel speed has nothing to do with a plane flying.

That makes at least 2 pilots that are going to be surprised that the plane is going to takeoff, you and the guy in the preview video from Discovery Channel.

After you takeoff, do you have to reduce the throttle to accommodate for frictional force you no longer need negate with the thrust?

 

[cstrunk]

I'll say the plane won't fly.

 

[Wesley]

Jeremy could publish this thread as the Great American Aeronautical Brainteaser Debate.

 

[CyPlainsDrifter]

All right, so we all agree that a plane can not take off without wind flowing across its wings. In other words, a plane that is standing still (relative to the ground, not the treadmill) will not take off.

Uh yes.... that point was established on page3, and 4 and 5 and 6, etc........

 

[superdorf]

Re: Former airline pilot here

I am a former airline pilot and this is the dumbest thing I have ever heard of. In no way will the plane get off of the ground. Planes fly by the pressure change created under the wings causing the wings to create lift. The only way this will occur is if there is airflow over the wings. If the plane is on a treadmill, it will be moving in place and therefore there will be no airflow over the wings. Wheel speed has nothing to do with a plane flying.

Which airline... I will make sure to avoid them from now on.

 

[jbhtexas]

Re: Former airline pilot here

If the plane is on a treadmill, it will be moving in place and therefore there will be no airflow over the wings.
[...]
I am a former airline pilot and this is the dumbest thing I have ever heard of.

I was kind of thinking the same thing after reading that first statement above...

 

[cmoneyr]

Part of me was hoping this would be over before I got back on for the night, but trying to convince you guys is almost as fun as being right in the first place.

 

[ISUAlum2002]

MythBusters tackles "plane on a conveyor belt problem" - Boing Boing

Last night I spoke to Adam Savage, co-host of MythBusters. He's in Alaska, where current temperatures range between 0 to 30 degrees below zero. He just finished a test on "cabin fever" (he wouldn't say how long he lasted before murdering his cabin mates and running out into the frozen wilderness wearning nothing but longjohns and a sleeping cap) and is now working on another episode up in the 49th state.

But the real reason I talked to him was to find out about the next episode of MythBusters (airing this Wednesday). It tackles the famous "plane on a conveyor belt problem," that has pitted brother against brother and friend against friend for years. To get to the bottom of the thought-problem, Adam and Jamie used a real plane, in this case a 400-lb ultralight, and a large conveyor belt. Did the plane take off? You'll have to wait until Wednesday to find out, but Adam said even the pilot guessed wrong. Link

And if you'll remember from the preview, the pilot guessed that the plane would stay in one place.....

 

[clones_jer]

I just want to post here to be part of this crazy thread.

 

[Wesley]

Re: Snakes on a Plane on a Treadmill

When we see the Mythbusters Show?

 

[htownclone]

Re: Snakes on a Plane on a Treadmill

When we see the Mythbusters Show?

Tomorrow night at 8 I think?

I'm not a big fan of a tarp and truck pulling it on the ground and the plane traveling in the opposite direction. Doesn't seem like the best set up.

I also read that article about him saying the pilot was wrong and the pilot in the video says it won't fly...sooooo...I am readying my foot to stick in my mouth.

 

[balken]

What is wrong with you people?!? This thread is no longer on the home page. That is like letting Dark Side of the Moon fall off of the best selling albums list. Let's get posting!!!

 

[cmoneyr]

We can only say the same thing so many times, I don't know what else there is to add.