Can a plane take off on a tread mill?

MadAR15

New Member
Joined
Apr 15, 2009
Location
Bessemer City
There is an airplane on a very large treadmill, as long as a runway. The treadmill moves backwards (opposite direction from the plane) at the exact same speed the plane is moving forwards. Under these circumstances, could the airplane take off?

I say no.
 
no, there is no air moving over the wings.

A man on a horse rides into town on Friday stays 3 days & leaves on friday.

How does he do it?
 
MadAR15 said:
There is an airplane on a very large treadmill, as long as a runway. The treadmill moves backwards (opposite direction from the plane) at the exact same speed the plane is moving forwards. Under these circumstances, could the airplane take off?
I say no.
Click to expand...

Yes it can because the plane is not using the wheels to get the foward momentum.
 
I say yes.

The plane's wheels don't transfer power from the engine to ground to move. The engines suck air in (jet or prop) and generate thrust behind it.
 
You guys need to watch more Myth Busters and less time on this web site....Nevermind WEB WHEEL on then!
 
MarsFab said:
The only way it would take off on a treadmill is if the wind was blowing 100mph in it's face. Besides if a plane was on a treadmill with the prop spinning at full throttle like it was trying to take off it would just drive right off the front of it because the prop pulls it forward not the tires. The theory behind a plane taking off on a treadmill is just like sitting on a boat blowing your own sail to move. The force of the air coming out of your mouth counteracts the force it puts against the sail. COME ON GUYS THIS IS SIMPLE PHYSICS.
Click to expand...

I can't quite figure which way you're leaning, but it seems like you're wrong. The simple physics are that whats on the ground doesnt matter at all, the plane's gonna take off.
Besdies, everyone knows you don't blow into your sail..you blow backwards :flipoff2:
 
Jeff B said:
no, there is no air moving over the wings.
Click to expand...

this is correct. lift is created by air passing across the wing surface. the airspeed of the aircraft would be 0. it would be like flying at 50 knots with a 50 knot tailwind. the only direction you would go is down. this is why you always take off and land INTO the wind.

you could think of it like this- if an aircraft carrier was used to do the same thing, (say at 30 knots), the plane moves forward relative to the carrier at 30 knots. as soon as it leaves the end of the ship, it's airspeed is still 0. the plane wheels will be turning. heck, they'll still be turning when it hits the ocean...

though i didn't watch whatever happened on myth busters, it is possible that if they had a very light plane with a prop on the nose, it might create enough wind to create some lift. that being said, my first answer is what i will stick with. good night.

edit, just saw the video. the plane was very light and was in fact moving forward when it took off. watch how the traffic cones are passing by at a good clip.
 
friday
 
LOL yes I am wrong I have always understood the myth to be that the plane was held in place while on the treadmill and would it create lift from the prop. I just watched the mythbusters video to see how they did it and yes the way they did it of course it would take off.
 
even tho the treadmill is moving backwards it dosent affect the planes takeoff. that being said the treadmill has to be long enough for the plane to take off
 
thats stupid if the plane gets to move forward. who cars.

i wanna see a plane powerfull enough to take off from a treadmill and no forward momentum.
 
Yes it will, it just means the tires are spinning twice as fast as the plane is moving

The tires are not the form of propulsion, they just free-wheel, so they will just spin faster as the treadmill goes the same speed as the plane.

Now if there was a tailwind the same speed as the plane is moving, it would not take off, just drive fast down the runway
 
broncosbybart said:
this is correct. lift is created by air passing across the wing surface. the airspeed of the aircraft would be 0. it would be like flying at 50 knots with a 50 knot tailwind. the only direction you would go is down. this is why you always take off and land INTO the wind.
you could think of it like this- if an aircraft carrier was used to do the same thing, (say at 30 knots), the plane moves forward relative to the carrier at 30 knots. as soon as it leaves the end of the ship, it's airspeed is still 0. the plane wheels will be turning. heck, they'll still be turning when it hits the ocean...
though i didn't watch whatever happened on myth busters, it is possible that if they had a very light plane with a prop on the nose, it might create enough wind to create some lift. that being said, my first answer is what i will stick with. good night.
edit, just saw the video. the plane was very light and was in fact moving forward when it took off. watch how the traffic cones are passing by at a good clip.
Click to expand...

you're thinking too hard
rockcity said:
Yes it will, it just means the tires are spinning twice as fast as the plane is moving
The tires are not the form of propulsion, they just free-wheel, so they will just spin faster as the treadmill goes the same speed as the plane.
Now if there was a tailwind the same speed as the plane is moving, it would not take off, just drive fast down the runway
Click to expand...

yes on all accounts.
 
BigRedB2 said:
thats stupid if the plane gets to move forward. who cars.
i wanna see a plane powerfull enough to take off from a treadmill and no forward momentum.
Click to expand...


impossible(or so damn near at that it isn't really even conceivable)

it is this misunderstanding(the plane is somehow anchored and takes off vertically) that confuses people. the question is specifically worded to not say this for a reason.
 
I've got a treadmill if anyone has a plane.
 
awspence said:
impossible(or so damn near at that it isn't really even conceivable)
it is this misunderstanding(the plane is somehow anchored and takes off vertically) that confuses people. the question is specifically worded to not say this for a reason.
Click to expand...
Can't a harrier jet do this with directable thrust?
 
Back
Top