Absolutely not. Like was mentioned, the wheels have nothing to do with the lift of the plane. This one should almost be a no-brainer.

What would work though, is getting a car up to super speed on said treadmill, then drop a ramp onto the conveyor. Provided the car gets enough traction when it hits the ramp, it should travel directly upwards into the air and slightly back on the treadmill before resuming it's stationary motion.

 

[QUOTE=MikeyCB,Jan 25 2008, 06:12 PM] Absolutely not.

 

if the plane is not too fat.

 

Yes, but I think he is implying that the treadmill will be going the exact opposite speed of the plane. If there is no air flowing over the wings (which there won't be because the plane is going zero miles per hour), therefore creating no lift. If there is no lift, the plane won't come off the ground.

Edit: when I said yes, I was agreeing with Saki. Not, saying that the plane would take off.

 

with the treadmill going back with the exact opposite velocity of the plane, why would the plane not be moving at all?

 

First this is very misleading question and in this simple form is missing quite a bit of setup.

Think of a runner on a treadmill. He goes forward 6mph and the belt goes the opposite way 6mph, he stays on the little area of the belt. There is no wind hitting him in the face as he's just running in place.

WHat gives the plane lift is the 150mph air being forced around the airfoil of the wings as the engines push the airplane through the surrounding air.

 

[QUOTE=Ubetit,Jan 25 2008, 03:09 PM] Think of a runner on a treadmill.

 

what type of plane?
jet engined or propeller?
would the propeller create enough wind over the wings to create lift?

 

This assumes your wheels are completely devoid of friction. Put that plane on a treadmill and turn the conveyor on without engines on. Does the airplane stay in one place relative to its position and just spin its wheels? No, it ends up at the back of the conveyor.

 

No, or propellor driven aircraft would have small wings and be able to take off vertically.