Imagine a plane is sitting on a treadmill, Mythbusters test it!

[Bad_Doggie]

Some of you may remember “Imagine a plane sitting on a treadmill” thread:

Imagine a plane is sitting on a massive conveyor belt, as wide and as long as a runway. The conveyor belt is designed to match the speed of the plane exactly but moves in the opposite direction. The engines are running at take-off thrust, the brakes are off, etc. Everything is normal save for the fact the plane is on a treadmill.

Can the plane take off?

Mythbuster schedule

Mythbusters will reenact the scenario in an episode that airs on January 31st in the U.S. I am VERY curious to see how they're going to do it (RC airplane on a 10m treadmill with a wireless feedback loop?). Anyone see it? Plausible or Busted?

This topic has been discussed http://physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=101259&highlight=treadmill]ad nauseam all over the internet, and I hope this episode will put it to rest (not likely).

Wondering when it will be coming to Europe on Discovery.

Woof!

 

[Cap’n AMatrixca]

It took off...

 

[Sean Renaud]

Is this schedule current? I swear I've seen undwater car, and exploding toilet before.

 

[Cap’n AMatrixca]

It was, from what I heard on the Neal Boortz Show, a long tarp pulled by a truck...





He's been on this for 9 months or so, and some people are very stupid when it comes to physics.




I would LOVE to see lovelynice answer this one cold.

 

[Bad_Doggie]

It was, from what I heard on the Neal Boortz Show, a long tarp pulled by a truck...





He's been on this for 9 months or so, and some people are very stupid when it comes to physics.




I would LOVE to see lovelynice answer this one cold.

LMFAO. Now that would be worth seeing and then argue it in multi colours and large print for endless pages!

Woof!

 

[CTYankee]

This was broadcast last night.

I thought the airplane/conveyor segment was pretty stupid -- below normal MythBuster standards. I can't believe that this "myth" was actually controversial.

 

[Cap’n AMatrixca]

 

[Cap’n AMatrixca]

This was broadcast last night.

I thought the airplane/conveyor segment was pretty stupid -- below normal MythBuster standards. I can't believe that this "myth" was actually controversial.

I think a lot of people want to deny the "myth" of helicopters actualy flying...

 

[TurdFergeson]

What does the ground have to do with a plane taking off?

Nothing. It's only important for landing. Other than being necessarily flat.

 

[Cap’n AMatrixca]

What does the ground have to do with a plane taking off?

Nothing. It's only important for landing. Other than being necessarily flat.

Not if you're a magic Arab...

 

[Bad_Doggie]

This was broadcast last night.

I thought the airplane/conveyor segment was pretty stupid -- below normal MythBuster standards. I can't believe that this "myth" was actually controversial.

At one point it was all over the net and for quite a few pages here.

So how did they do it? With a RC plane and some type of rolling road?

Woof!

 

[CTYankee]

I'm unspeakably envious of the job that Jamie & Adam have, though.

It would be so cool just just *wonder* all the time -- then think up ways to apply good science to weird shit:

"Could that really happen as rumored/described?"

"What would it take to MAKE that happen?"

CTY <-- wicked jealous (more like Jamie than Adam)

 

[TurdFergeson]

WTF? I want one:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2318794740642506878&sourceid=docidfeed&hl=en

 

[Bad_Doggie]

I'm unspeakably envious of the job that Jamie & Adam have, though.

It would be so cool just just *wonder* all the time -- then think up ways to apply good science to weird shit:

"Could that really happen as rumored/described?"

"What would it take to MAKE that happen?"

CTY <-- wicked jealous (more like Jamie than Adam)

It's far better than that, you also get to work with Kari Byron!

http://www.tvsquad.com/media/2006/05/mythbuster-kari.jpg

Woof!

 

[John Doe]

I'm unspeakably envious of the job that Jamie & Adam have, though.

It would be so cool just just *wonder* all the time -- then think up ways to apply good science to weird shit:

"Could that really happen as rumored/described?"

"What would it take to MAKE that happen?"

CTY <-- wicked jealous (more like Jamie than Adam)

Mythbusters applies good science? You're kidding, right?

 

[CTYankee]

Mythbusters applies good science? You're kidding, right?

They don't always. Especially lately, with the additional staff.

But I would.

 

[Bad_Doggie]

Mythbusters applies good science? You're kidding, right?

But, they are good at bringing science to the masses and stimulating an interest in the young. Which can’t be a bad thing.

Woof!

 

[Bad_Doggie]

Found the video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbRcg3ji_Pc

Woof!

 

[John Doe]

Found the video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbRcg3ji_Pc

Woof!

See? That was a shitty experiment because the aircraft was still moving relative to the air around it so of course it would take off once it reaches a certain speed.

 

[CTYankee]

See? That was a shitty experiment because the aircraft was still moving relative to the air around it so of course it would take off once it reaches a certain speed.

But that's the whole point . . .

The propeller WILL "move the aircraft through the surrounding air" (thus generating lift) -- REGARDLESS of what the ground beneath the aircraft is doing.

Movement of the ground (i.e., the treadmill) would only matter if the aircraft were being driven BY ITS WHEELS -- which it is clearly not.

 

[TurdFergeson]

But that's the whole point . . .

The propeller WILL "move the aircraft through the surrounding air" (thus generating lift) -- REGARDLESS of what the ground beneath the aircraft is doing.

Movement of the ground (i.e., the treadmill) would only matter if the aircraft were being driven BY ITS WHEELS -- which it is clearly not.

Now, a seaplane going upsteam in a fast moving river trying to take off WOULD encounter difficulty.

 

[MechaBlade]

so the plane took off?

edit: yes, saw the video

 

[CTYankee]

Now, a seaplane going upsteam in a fast moving river trying to take off WOULD encounter difficulty.

A *paddlewheel-driven* seaplane, maybe.

Geez. I can't believe that this was even controversial.

 

[TurdFergeson]

A *paddlewheel-driven* seaplane, maybe.

Geez. I can't believe that this was even controversial.

True, but the water would produce more resistance than wheels that can turn easily.

 

[John Doe]

But that's the whole point . . .

The propeller WILL "move the aircraft through the surrounding air" (thus generating lift) -- REGARDLESS of what the ground beneath the aircraft is doing.

Movement of the ground (i.e., the treadmill) would only matter if the aircraft were being driven BY ITS WHEELS -- which it is clearly not.

Not if it's tied down.

An airfoil only works when air is moving over it at a sufficient speed to generate a pressure differential and thus create lift. A propeller doesn't provide lift by driving air over the wings. It just generates thrust so that the entire aircraft moves through the air. You can see this with push props (where the propeller is actually at the rear of the aircraft).