Mythbusters/airplane on a treadmill.

[Ray H]

Mythbusters is doing the airplane on a treadmill myth on the 30th and 31st.
If there are any no fly people who would like to put their money where their mouse is, nows the time to place your bets. Ive got $300 that says the plane flys.

 

[BlueCuda]

I can't believe it even warrants an episode. IMO its pretty damn obvious it doesn't make a shit whats under an airplanes wheels, all they do is roll. Its the thrust from the prop or jet that moves the plane, the belt no matter how fast it moves will not make a difference.

 

[ZacSquatch]

lol, what???

Not unless there is a 150 MPH headwind.. well only 60-65 for a small single engine which I'm sure they'll have..

 

[Ray H]

I can't believe it even warrants an episode. IMO its pretty damn obvious it doesn't make a shit whats under an airplanes wheels, all they do is roll. Its the thrust from the prop or jet that moves the plane, the belt no matter how fast it moves will not make a difference.

You would think it would be obvious but theres been huge debates all over the www.

 

[BlueCuda]

Using the idea that the plane won't fly opens up all kinds of questions. Like how to airplanes get traction to take off on water? lol

 

[nick86]

Unless it's in a wind tunnel, a plane needs the lift dif from the top & bottom of the wing to fly.

 

[rocknxj]

I thought lift was a matter of air pressure differences created by the shape of the wings than the speed of the wheels under the airplane. I don't get the premise of the episode.

 

[JohnX]

What the hell is the myth...enlighten us?

Is it supposed to magically levitate if you spin the wheels fast enough or what?

 

[ZacSquatch]

if its on a treadmill... its stading still essentialy... no wind passing over/under the wings.. thus no lift

 

[Ray H]

if its on a treadmill... its stading still essentialy... no wind passing over/under the wings.. thus no lift

Care to wager?

 

[Ray H]

What the hell is the myth...enlighten us?

Is it supposed to magically levitate if you spin the wheels fast enough or what?

Here is the question. Its been stated a couple different ways but here is the basics.

"Imagine a plane is sitting on a massive conveyor belt, as wide and as long as a runway. The conveyer belt is designed to exactly match the speed of the wheels, moving in the opposite direction. Can the plane take off?"

 

[Lowrange2]

After I read that I disagree....

The plane WILL fly. Since the plane will move forward it will fly. The fact that the treadmill is running backwards and the wheels are turning forwards doesn't matter. That force is completely irrelevant to the force put on the plane by the prop. Imagine the planes wheels/axles had no friction at all. When the treadmill was running and the wheels where rotating at the same speed then the plane wouldn't move. Just the wheels and the treadmill would be moving... Once the engine is turned on the plane would then be pulled along by the force put on the plane by the prop. BUT It all depends on if the consider friction in the axles.

 

[Ray H]

I'd bet a billion bucks the plane don't fly! As long as theres no wind tunnel of anything similar the plane will not fly. Physics don't work like that, good buddy.

I'll be honest, I cant cover a billion. If I could, you would have a bet though. How about $300? I think thats as far as I can go through PayPal.

 

[kennzz05]

...x2

 

[nick86]

It will never take off. No air, no lift. Nuf said. You could do the same tarded shit w/ a N.Y. taxi.

 

[ZacSquatch]

i got $5

 

[ZacSquatch]

Having grown up on airports, studied aero-dinamics, and watched some cool shit... its not goin anywhere

 

[Lowrange2]

reread what I edited... I agree with the fact that It will fly if they do it the way I think they will. I agree that if the plane can move then it will fly... if it can't move then it won't fly.... Like I said.

 

[Ray H]

It will never take off. No air, no lift. Nuf said. You could do the same tarded shit w/ a N.Y. taxi.

Come on, money talks. Somebody??? I got $300 that says the conveyor has nothing to do with it flying.

 

[Lowrange2]

THe wings need lift and it all depends on how they rig up the experiement.