Brain Teaser

gtst lad · Post by **gtst lad** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 2:41 pm

A plane is standing on a runway that can move (some sort of conveyer belt). The plane moves in one direction, while the conveyer moves in the opposite direction. This conveyer has a control system that tracks the plane speed and tunes the speed of the conveyer to be exactly the same (but in the opposite direction).

Can the plane take off?

Bladerider · Post by **Bladerider** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 2:59 pm

Nope.

Its airpseed over the wing that generates lift. Wheelspeed over the ground is totally irrelevent.

J.

323ian · Post by **323ian** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 3:05 pm

As above, quite an easy one really!

What came first..... the chicken or the egg?

gtst lad · Post by **gtst lad** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 3:07 pm

Thats almost exactly the answer i gave when i first saw the question, but i reckon it could take off

Post by **Stuart** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 4:18 pm

Maybe it could take off if the pilot suddenly dumped the clutch and did a J turn? :lol:

gtst lad · Post by **gtst lad** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 4:47 pm

lol

god i post some rubbish sometimes

Post by **Ben** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 6:20 pm

The wheels would rotate as they are undriven - so nothing would happen - and it would look pretty silly

gtst lad · Post by **gtst lad** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 6:56 pm

the wheels are undriven but the engines produce thrust so the conveyer would replicate the speed of the aircraft but since the wheels are freewheeling they'd spin at x rpm till the bearings exploded still letting the aircraft gain speed and take off 8)

well that's how i read it, i would link to the original thread i found this but its in a members area :lol:

Post by **Stuart** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 7:21 pm

Bloody hell Paul, you need another project mate

gtst lad · Post by **gtst lad** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 7:23 pm

lol i know, i've got way to much free time..