[RogerR]

ok, looking at this from a relative velocity standpoint, if we analyze just the plane and treadmill in relation to the runway, ken is right; the plane can't be sitting still and moving at an equal but opposite velocity. physics prevents this. i know you've said that some physics rules need to be bent to solve this problem, but i refuse to accept that; if you get to bend the rules that manage relative velocity, then i'm going to bend the rules that manage gravity, and float the plane off the ground.

now, if we take the linear velocity of the wheel at a point 180 degrees from it's contact patch (instead of the velocity of the stationary plane), and the velocity of the treadmill, both relative to the ground, then we can satisfy both the 'equal but opposite treadmill' and the 'stationary plane' requirements, assuming that the wheels generate enough of a drag force (the pilot left the parking brake on?).