Official Mythbusters "Plane on a Treadmill" thread.

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Here you go everyone, even a little kid knows the correct outcome! BTW this is a well done amateur experiment.
[yt]-EopVDgSPAk[/yt]
So hopefully this proof will turn the non-believers of physics into believers. :D
 
esa17 said:
One thing ATC doesn't have that this sim-driver does is the view of all the cockpit data from his chair. Too bad they didn't mention that little gem.
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Wait you mean to tell me that not every ATCer has extensive time with A32x sims, and every ATCer doesn't know where every knob and lever in the cockpit is? Ok ok so even though they don't someone else does, well thanks to dispatch I figure you only have enough fuel to divert and hold for 15 minutes, the thing might run out of gas before you could get two people on both ends working together to get it down. (before anyone jumps on me, I fly Cessnas, and am using ballpark figures. Idon't feel like getting out a FAR/AIM to look up 121 fuel reserves just to make a sarcastic comment).
 
butt said:
this is so stupid. if anyone w/ half a brain would realize, you need airflow for lift. its a simple matter of physics. think about it. go running on a treadmill. does the wind from running hit you in the face? THERE IS NO AIRFLOW. THE PLANE IS NOT MOVING FORWARD. IT IS ESSENTIALLY SITTING IN PLACE, AND THE GROUND IS MOVING UNDERNEATH IT.
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I agree that this is so stupid, but not for the reason you state. When you run on a treadmill, your legs are driving you forward with reference to the belt. So if the belt moves the same speed as you but in the opposite direction, you remain stationary relative to the earth.

On the other hand, an airplane is not driven forward by its wheels. The engines act on the air. So no matter how fast the treadmill turns, the plane will move forward relative to the airmass it is in, and will generate airflow over the wings. The treadmill better be as long as a runway, because the plane WILL take off. You will overspeed your wheels, so I'm not sure what will happen to the wheels / wheel bearings / tires, but you will be able to take off.
 
RPJ said:
Here you go everyone, even a little kid knows the correct outcome! BTW this is a well done amateur experiment.
[yt]-EopVDgSPAk[/yt]
So hopefully this proof will turn the non-believers of physics into believers. :D
Click to expand...

It is amazing that this being debated! Anyway this guy and his son do a great job with their home treadmill and an Airhogs remote controlled plane taped to a matchbox car.
 
RPJ said:
Here you go everyone, even a little kid knows the correct outcome! BTW this is a well done amateur experiment.

So hopefully this proof will turn the non-believers of physics into believers. :D
Click to expand...


That was awesome, good find!
 
butt said:
this is so stupid. if anyone w/ half a brain would realize, you need airflow for lift. its a simple matter of physics. think about it. go running on a treadmill. does the wind from running hit you in the face? THERE IS NO AIRFLOW. THE PLANE IS NOT MOVING FORWARD. IT IS ESSENTIALLY SITTING IN PLACE, AND THE GROUND IS MOVING UNDERNEATH IT.
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But when I ride this stationary bike I feel wind!

41RVJHBVE7L._AA280_.jpg


I feel cheated! :sarcasm:
 
butt said:
this is so stupid. if anyone w/ half a brain would realize, you need airflow for lift. its a simple matter of physics. think about it. go running on a treadmill. does the wind from running hit you in the face? THERE IS NO AIRFLOW. THE PLANE IS NOT MOVING FORWARD. IT IS ESSENTIALLY SITTING IN PLACE, AND THE GROUND IS MOVING UNDERNEATH IT.
Click to expand...

That depends on if it hit 88 mph!
 
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