the question does say that it keeps up with the speed of the plane, if it doesnt its not much of a myth

The plane absolutely will take off. The plane is being driven by thrust and not by the wheels.

Stand on a treadmill on rollerblades. It takes just as much effort to pull yourself forward no matter how fast the treadmill is moving. (Roughly.... so long as you have good bearings)

That was my point. Its not torque through the wheels that moves the plane forwards. If that was the case the plane would never take-off because once the wheels left the ground the plane would slow down and would not stay airborn.

Even if the treadmill can hit mach1 speeds it still isn't enough to keep the plane from moving forwards by its own thrust. The planes propulsion system is independent of ground speed.

The friction generated by the wheels on the ground is minimal compared to the wind resistance a plane sees above stall speeds.

I don't think it's going anywhere unless the props push enough air over the wings to generate vertical lift, so long as absolute traction is maintained with the treadmill (whoops conveyor lol).

The the issue is that the conveyor can't hold the plane still. The prop does not have to push air over the wings, the prop simply needs to pull the plane forward and the conveyor can't have a big enough effect to stop the plane unless you locked the wheels or applied the brakes.

conveyor belt plane « stereoroid.com Read this article, all valid points. Then watch Mythbusters tonight.

Youtube is the friend. Here is a practicle application showing that despite the speed of the treadmill the little RC plane still has enough power to accelerate.

Note that the little plane probably can't exceed 7mph in level flight.


Though the RC plane couldn't take off because of the guideline it still demonstrates that the plane was capable of accelerating even with the treadmill moving against the plane. Were it not on a guide wire it probably would have lifted off.

you're missing my point though, there is no conveyor that can overcome the acceleation of the plane. The wheels are not applying the thrust to the ground, aiding in the planes advancment in one direction. if the plane does not overcome the speed of the conveyor then it will not take off. If the conveyor keeps the plane at 0 velocity it cannot take off. So unless they have a conveyor that can completely keep up with planes speed then the myth really isnt busted.

Didn't prove anything...Kid was in the way for the important part

doesnt prove anything becuase the plane has a faster ground speed than the treadmill

It can still take off if its a turbine style.

think about this too. So when the plane lands the wheels are stationary, does that mean the plane will stop when it hits the ground?

The plane will take off.

HELLL YEAH ITS ON MYTHBUSTERS FINALLY

and yes, the plane will take off.

Czech.... the conveyor will never under any circumstance hold the plane stationary.