<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> Jeeze Nate, this is complicated enough already. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />


Here's some comments from a "smart guy" friend of mine. I asked him in an email what he thought of the original question:


Well...first thing is this: the plane would have to be moving, not standing to even attempt to take off. A plane doesn't lift off the ground due to speed. Speed is just what helps airflow come across the wings to provide lift. If it were moving forward allowing air to pass over the wings than lift could be acheived. If the ground speed is 100 mph forward but the conveyor is going 100 mph backwards, then the true ground speed would be 200 mph but no forward motion hence no airflow over the wings which is what is needed for lift. The only thing that has enough power to overocome ground speed creating flow over the wings is a jet engine ( huge jet engine) in a very small plane. F14, F15 that could power the plane forward (air speed) without needing wheels on the ground (ground speed). Most all planes are not powerfult enough to overcome the weight and drag on the plane by engine alone. I say if you consider the plane is a normal passenger plane... it's not going anywhere but the wheels will be seeing lots of mileage.