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sebandbay | 10:11 Thu 13th Apr 2006 | Science
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If an aeroplanre needs to be going, for example 200 miles per hour to take, and you were able to put the plane on a treadmill running at the said speed.


Would the plane take off?

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No. Its not the ground speed of the plane that's important, its the speed of the air over the wings. On a treadmill there would be no airpseed, thus no lift.

Would the situation change if you were wearing an anorak, Skids?

Yes, if you wear it done up and with your trousers tucked into your socks.

Would the second principle still be valid, Skids, if your mum has forgotten to cut your marmite sandwiches into triangles?

No, but you mustn't forget to wear sandles or flip-flops over your white socks and have your mum iron creases down the front of your jeans.


There is a school of thought that suggests that the more times a particular aircraft's serial number is written into little notebooks, by people wearing the afore mentioned clothing and munching on three-sided marmite sandwiches, the more likely that aircraft will fly.

Question Author

Okay.... Saying skids is right. How about if there was a 200 mile per hour freak wind coming from the fan at the front of the treadmill.


Would the plane take off?

Hey! You're right, Skids! I looked all over my treadmill and couldn't find any airp-seed anywhere. Pity, as I could do with a lift.

the treadmill doesn't make any difference

"200 mile per hour freak wind coming from the fan at the front of the treadmill.

Would the plane take off?"

As Space says, the treadmill is not relevant. if there were 200 mph headwinds, the plane would take off. This is why small planes are tied down when parked in windy locations.
Question Author

What if it was a Top Gun pilot.


Would the plane take off?

It would take off with a 200mph fan but would crash down again when it hit still air, unless it was a Harrier, hopefully on someone eating Marmite sandwiches.
Assuming a maximum headwind of 5 knots, a barometric pressure not more than 1005 mmHg, and a mean Duty Free purchase of 3.2 kg per passenger, will there be enough marmite sandwiches to go round for afternoon tea?
..and in the event of a crash, is your anorak located under your seat?

and will marmite sandwiches fall from the overhead compartment

remember to eat your marmite sandwich before helping a child
With any luck the child won't like marmite so you have theirs as well.

Another question


If on a treadmill at 200 miles per hour with winds in excess of 200 mph would the plane take off with no engines?

Is there a special discount on giant treadmills today or what? Why does everybody want to add a useless giant treadmill to every question ?


If I'm on a giant treadmill and I shut my fridge door, how do I know that the fridge light is off ?

The light in your fridge will still be on if a tree falling off a treadmill doesn't make a sound - (assuming that it doesn't fall on your marmite sandwiches, of course).

Prefer mine on toast.


And why don't manufacturers put a light in a fridge's freezer compartment?


Oh well. Back to the treadmill.

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