dmiessler.com | grep understanding - Latest Comments in A Puzzle: Can The Plane Take Off?

Re: A Puzzle: Can The Plane Take Off?

Daniel Miessler — Tue, 25 Jul 2006 11:18:23 -0000

Actually, there is still air being passed over the wings, as there IS forward motion of the plane. The trick in this puzzle is that the backward motion of the conveyor belt *does not* reduce the plane's motion forward.

The motion forward comes from the engines, and the only way the conveyor belt can counter that is if the planes wheels are not allowed to roll. If allowed to roll they will simply spin as the plane takes off.

Notice that this is what happens when *any* plane takes off, by the way. This is no different. The asphalt going backward is the same as the conveyor belt going backward; either way, the plane is still going forward.

Re: A Puzzle: Can The Plane Take Off?

Michael S Black — Tue, 25 Jul 2006 08:10:21 -0000

All that matters is a differential in air pressures on the wing surface...If the lift generated is sufficient it will launch, if not, it won't. This is SOOOOoooo old as a aeronautics puzzle I can't believe they are still arguing it.

If the plane is going forward RELATIVE to the air being passed over the wings, it will launch. But, as in this case, if the plane's wings stays still relative to the air, then it will remain on the ground...

Re: A Puzzle: Can The Plane Take Off?

Jason Powell — Tue, 25 Jul 2006 06:55:50 -0000

If you read the comments, there's a lot of contention that this guy is wrong, and the plane cannot take off. I'm not totally convinced, but I think the plane would stay at a standstill.