The case of the plane and conveyor belt

[Adam-Savage]

Here's the original problem essentially as it was posed to us: "A plane is standing on a runway that can move (some sort of band conveyer). The plane moves in one direction, while the conveyer moves in the opposite direction. This conveyer has a control system that tracks the plane speed and tunes the speed of the conveyer to be exactly the same (but in the opposite direction). Can the plane take off?"

[Kamalia]

I searched for this to see if I could find the answer.

All I can say is that physics is really over my head. x_x There was something that kept popping up about a plane being thrust forward using airflow, not the wheels, but... I'm not exactly a pilot, so I don't know if this is true or not. Interesting theory, though.

[Gala]

If the propellers (or engines) are on, then yes, like the Mythbusters episode, it will take off.

[cowmuflage]

can i just say " just watch the mythbusters epp"? I'd like that to be my answer.

[Saturo]

I don't think so, since a plane flies by "bending the air0, If that makes sense. Ig would need airflow over it's wings, and thr only airflow it would get would be air flowing past the engines.

[Adam-Savage]

It does take off. The wheel are free spinning and not connected the engine in anyway. The engines give the plane a forward thrust through the air and the wings give it the lift it needs to take off.