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Re: Can the Plane Take-Off?
Ok, here's my two cents:
The treadmill control is measuring the plane's speed relative to the rest of the world (stationary objects like trees), right? so when the plane begins to move, at say, 1 MPH, the treadmill will move in the opposite direction at 1 MPH. As stated above, a plane is propelled by it's engines reacting with the air. The wheels are completely free-rolling, except for a braking system. Therefore, except for a little increased drag from the wheels spinning twice as fast as normal, the treadmill would have no effect on the plane.
My conclusion: the plane might have to use a few extra HP to compensate for the extra drag from the wheels, but it would definitely take off.
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"You can't spread Democracy with the barrel of a gun" ~ Helen Thomas
2006 Great Lakes Regional Semi-Finalists (Thanks to our allies: Team 66 and Team 68)
Thanks 469 for lending us your old OI in ATL!
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