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Originally Posted by Elgin Clock
Why not build this huge conveyer belt system as an alternative to making short runways on a mountain where real estate is a prime commodity???   |
The opposite of this is done every day -almost - on aircraft carriers
the catapult on aircraft carriers acts as if the runway suddenly accelerates forward under the plane. It pulls the plane up to 200 mph in a matter of seconds, and flings it off the deck of the ship. The aircraft engines then take over and the plane continues to accelerate
but heres the difference: the catapult captures the front wheel of the plane until it takes off. Imagine what would happen if the catapult was accidentally left unconnected? nothing.
and if the aircraft carrier launch system were just like this question, but the belt moves forward rapidly, and the pilot was not standing on the brakes with both feet, then when the belt suddenly moves forward the wheels on the plane will spin like crazy, but instead of being flung off the ship at 200mph, it will barely move
like yanking a tablecloth out from under dinner plates
the runway would have to be able to apply a tremendous amount of force horizontally to the plane to either fling it off the aircraft carrier, or to keep the plane from moving on the backward treadmill. That force simply cannot be applied to the aircraft through free-wheeling landing gear.