[jba]

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this thread is seriously the bomb.


let's think a little about OP's original statement, that the conveyor belt is moving in the opposite direction as the wheels on the plane.

now imagine the plane is completely turned off, there is 0 thrust from the turbines/props. The conveyor belt is moving backwards at 100 feet/sec. The planes wheels are spinning forwards at the same rate. The plane is standing still, no??

now what happens when you turn on the turbines and start generating forward thrust, WTF do you think the plane is going to do???

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The plane is going to move forward and take off. But once that happens, the wheels are now moving faster than the conveyor, no? That's the only part I question.

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no they're not. that is impossible per the OP.

the thrust is exerted against the air not against the runway, so the thrust from the turbines vs. surrounding air is orthogonal to runway vs. wheels