Well I THINK we are debating semantics Frank <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

In reference to your fathers idea in WW2 I understand where you are coming from...but throw that aside - there are lots of technological technicalities that will make this only hypothetical...

We will have to imagine that our glider touches down and its ground speed is calculated to a horizontal approach - so it matches or Airplane Takes Off model.

Picture the glider with gear wheels - and the treadmill with matching gear tread. When the planes touches they mesh perfectly.

It doesnt matter what speed it comes in - wheel bearings frictionless, perfect contact i.e. no skip or slip of the wheel - it will stop do you concur?

Now here is the problem I am having with everyone.

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, once the plane's engine is on, the plane CAN build momentum and speed, since it has a prop or turbine that can bite and move air to create thrust.


Any speed relative to the ground is matched by the treadmill speed relative to the plane to infinity. I think you all are picturing this treadmill as having a point of maximum speed - but it does not. And it doesnt need it.

Momentum is mass times velocity correct?

So the plane 100 lbs.

Velocity of the plane matches velocity of treadmill. They cancel out. Zero.

100x0 is zero - no momentum.

No momentum means no forward motion.

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