Can the Plane Take-Off?

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Protronie

This thread will NEVER die!

What if the plane was jet powered instead of a prop plane?
Say like a MD-80 with the engines mounted on the tail... no air would be pushed over the wings... so no take off.

(that should be good for 100 post at least )

As I said earlier, the wheels have nothing to do with it. The plane moves forward and takes off.

Here's something to think about...on my Aero Design team, we coated our axles and wheels with graphite. LOTS of graphite. 4 layers of pencil lead on the axle easily, put some graphite powder inside the wheel, rub the stuff inside the wheel onto the axle. Just before each flight, put a little more powder in.

Would we have done that if the wheels had anything to do with takeoff, other than keeping the prop off the ground and letting the plane move without resistance? No.