Let's say you had a giant treadmill with an airplane on it

[Edge540]

Since when did wheel speed equate to lift generated? The plane will not fly with no relative wind!

Simply stated and 100% correct.

If you think the plane will fly, you are as smart as this guy:
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/315147/treadmill_vs_kid/




.....

 

[yournextFO]

It's all about friction in the wheel bearings....

 

[Blucher]

Come on now, everyone knows you just have BELIEVE you can fly! As long as you believe hard enough, you'll sore like an eagle!

-Blucher

 

[JimNtexas]

Since when did wheel speed equate to lift generated? The plane will not fly with no relative wind!

What force is acting to oppose the airplane's engine thrust and thereby hold the airplane stationary with respect to the earth?

 

[The_Russian]

If the aircraft remained in the same relative position, how could it take off?

 

[The_Russian]

What force is acting to oppose the airplane's engine thrust and thereby hold the airplane stationary with respect to the earth?

The treadmill moves at ANY speed nessecary to maintain the aircraft's relative position. If the speed required is equilivent to 300 knots to maintain the friction required to hold the aircraft's position, the the treadmill can do it.

 

[BigMotorToter]

I can't believe this aspect of this brain teaser hasn't been brought up yet.

What if the pilot of the plane on the giant treadmill is a Jetblue pilot, and he is in the back cleaning the cabin. Can he walk forward (counter to the treadmill speed) to the cockpit to push the throttles up so the engines can generate enough thrust to counter the wheel friction and take off?

Hee, Hee, Hee!

 

[Amish RakeFight]

I can't believe this aspect of this brain teaser hasn't been brought up yet.

What if the pilot of the plane on the giant treadmill is a Jetblue pilot, and he is in the back cleaning the cabin. Can he walk forward (counter to the treadmill speed) to the cockpit to push the throttles up so the engines can generate enough thrust to counter the wheel friction and take off?

Hee, Hee, Hee!

No, but the cabin will certainly be a lot cleaner before it takes off!

 

[30West]

That's pretty scary how many different answers there are posted to this question.
I think most have caught on to the satirical nature, but frighteningly some seem to be serious, though incorrect.

An FI classic!

 

[The_Russian]

Which one do you think is correct?