With any experiment we have to make some assumptions, or have a control… I read this with the assumption that any forward movement by the aircraft on its wheels is equalled by the reverse movement of the treadmill on which the aircraft is standing. I also assume zero wind. Final assumption is that we’re looking for the aircraft to fly through conventional means… By that I mean we’re looking for the wing to produce the lift, not the engine.
The engine is simply a means of propelling the aircraft through the air so that the wing can generate lift.
The wheels are simply a mechanism to allow the aircraft the travel along the ground in order that air can flow over the wings, thus producing a change is pressure, and thus producing lift. If any forward movement of the aircraft is equally countered by opposite movement of the ground (the treadmill), then how does the aircraft get the necessary airflow over the wing to produce the lift?
None of the answers I’ve read actually answer that question? Lift is produced by airflow over the wing. The aircraft doesn’t move the air because it’s forward movement is equalled by a reverse movement of the ground. Therefore the aircraft cant fly. The only way I can see the aircraft flying is if the airflow produced by the prop pulling air over the wing were sufficient to create that change in pressure, but in most cases that would not happen.
Another scenario… If my aircraft gets airborne at 35Kts, and I travel down the runway with a 35Kt tail wind, will the aircraft fly?… NO. because there isn’t the necessary fly of air over the wing.
Assuming that you guys are right, then what part of my logic breaks down?
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