Will the Airplane Fly??????????

[boybi]

It's simply that you have to remove the preconception that the wheels and ground have anything to do with take-off.

in the real world, the wheels are just an aid for the jet engines to push the plane forward againts the ground. it is the speed of the airplane (generated by the jet engines) against the surrounding air that creates a lift for the airplane to take off.

but in this situation, the airplane's speed against the surrounding air is zero. why?!?!? BECAUSE IT IS STATIONARY!

Here's a simpler example. You've got a treadmill. You're running on it. The treadmill is matching your speed, so you stay in place, right? That's because you're exerting force on the treadmill (ground) with your wheels (feet).

Now say, you're an airplane. Your hands are your engines, and the hand rails of the treadmill represent the air. Your engines push or pull against the air, and no matter what speed the treadmill is going, you can go forward or backwards on it... even if it adjusts to move forwards or backwards at the speed your body is going. Your feet (wheels) have to move faster, but your body (airplane) moves at the same speed, thus, you can pull yourself forward on the treadmill, no matter how fast the treadmill is going!

because the handrails are attached to the treadmill. the air is not 'attached' to the ground or the conveyor.