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Old 11-03-2006, 12:25 AM
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Wisha Haddan H3 Wisha Haddan H3 is offline
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Default Re: Will the plane takeoff?

Yes for self-propelled airplanes but No for gliders towed behind ground vehicles.

In self-propelled airplanes thrust is delivered from the props or jets directly to the air, not to the ground. Since no forward thrust is delivered through the wheels, the conveyor will remain stationary. In fact, the conveyor may even move forward slightly with the plane depending on the amount of friction from the axles and the tire's contact patch. As the plane moves forward through the air, relative airspeed increases, lift is generated on the wings and the plane takes off.

With gliders, thrust is provided by a tow vehicle. If the tow vehicle is a truck on the conveyor, it would deliver its thrust through the wheels to the conveyor. Forward movement would be negated by the conveyor's movement, resulting in zero forward motion. The truck could be going 100 mph (relative to the conveyor) but its airspeed and groundspeed (next to the conveyor) would still be 0. No air would pass over the glider's wings and no lift would be generated for takeoff.
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Last edited by Wisha Haddan H3 : 11-03-2006 at 12:31 AM.
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