The "Plane on a Treadmill" Question

Flint · 12-07-2006, 10:55 AM

No. No lift, as UT said. Planes do not take off from a stationary position. What would you expect it to do, suddently leap in the air? At what speed? From zero to what, in how many seconds? Same question: if you drop a paper airplane on the ground, will it suddenly leap in to the air and fly for no apparent reason? Same answer: No. The end.

glatt · 12-07-2006, 10:59 AM

Of course there is lift. The plane will move forward against the air, and twice as fast against the runway. It will take off just like it normally would. A plane's wheels are not powered. They spin freely as the engines push against the air. The air is stationary, only the runway is moving.

12-07-2006, 10:55 AM	#1
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	No. No lift, as UT said. Planes do not take off from a stationary position. What would you expect it to do, suddently leap in the air? At what speed? From zero to what, in how many seconds? Same question: if you drop a paper airplane on the ground, will it suddenly leap in to the air and fly for no apparent reason? Same answer: No. The end. __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio**

12-07-2006, 10:59 AM	#2
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	Of course there is lift. The plane will move forward against the air, and twice as fast against the runway. It will take off just like it normally would. A plane's wheels are not powered. They spin freely as the engines push against the air. The air is stationary, only the runway is moving.

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