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

[ImbracableCrunk]

I don't get it. How is a treadmill supposed to take off?

 

[Flying Illini]

Ok, look at it this way:

If you are holding a paper airplane and you are running down the street, if you are running fast enough when you let go (don't throw it, just let go) the plane will fly.
Now, if you're on a treadmill (or some frictionless surface) and running at the same speed, no forward motion, and you let go of the same airplane, it will fall straight to the ground.

 

[Almerick07]

go set your treadmill at its highest speed and jump on it....you will fly backwards, its pretty funny to watch. but seriously go run on a treadmill at any speed you wish get off and see if you went anywhere.....

 

[PCL_128]

seriously, don't get involved beyond ridicule.

I just can't help it. This is just beyond idiocy.

"Just when I thought I was out, the puuuuuulllll me back in!"

 

[FR8mastr]

And that might actually be relevant if an airplane produced forward thrust through its wheels instead of a prop/jet.

I guess your correct if we are talking about a 3 thousand foot long treadmill.

 

[PCL_128]

I guess your correct if we are talking about a 3 thousand foot long treadmill.

That's exactly what we're talking about. From the original post:

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

 

[Flysher]

the plane will fly. the prop will pull it along the treadmill and create the relative wind required to takeoff. the wheels have nothing to do with it, they will just be spinning faster at rotation.

 

[regionaltard]

So, you will not takeoff.

BZZZZZT! Thanks for playing.

 

[Flyer1015]

Deleted.

I realize it was rather rude.

 

[Flyer1015]

Deleted