Mythbusters

[Bryan Wood]

For those interested next Wednesday at 9:00p.m. eastern the Mythbusters on the Discovery channel will be building and testing "Concrete Gliders" to see if it is possible to make such contraptions. Any predictions?

Best,

[szicree]

My prediction is that Buster will be involved in a horrible concrete glider crash.

[OneTwoSierra]

Yea, poor Buster.

[Baja_Traveler]

Concrete boat - Confirmed. Concrete Glider - Busted! Even if they think to use the foamed concrete used at the end of some commercial runways.

I did like the paper crossbow last night though - never would have thought it could work...

[bsacks05]

I want to see them do the "airplane takeoff from a treadmill runway" myth/theory.

[gmcjetpilot]

Originally Posted by bsacks05

I want to see them do the "airplane takeoff from a treadmill runway" myth/theory.

They will never do that since there is no myth or mystery, it's a riddle or trick word problem, easily solved with basics physics if you read the scenario carefully.

It's like asking what is heavier a pound of feathers or pound of lead?

The answer, a tread mill running in the equal but opposite direction proportional to the aircraft's (air)speed, makes no difference. The only difference is the tire speed (rotation) will be twice the airspeed at takeoff. Takeoff distance may be slightly longer due to increased wheel bearing friction. Now if you are in a car and the driving on a tread mill, opposite to wheel speed, than you'll not go anywhere, like running on a tread mill. However an airplane gains its thrust thru its prop not tires. Sorry to ruin your myth.

Regardless its not likely anyone will takeoff on a treadmill, ever.


I would like more "Myth Buster" plane myths. We should write in with some suggestions.

ANY ONE KNOW OF ANY GOOD AIRPLANE MYTH'S TO SUBMIT?

PS: on TV Discovery, Friday's, there's a new series on aircraft dog fights, recreating famous aerial dog fights and battles, including bombing, with advance computer animation. I guess this is a spin off of the hour long special they did on 4 of the greatest dog fights, one from WWI, WWII, Korea and Vietnam a year ago.

[Ironflight]

Originally Posted by gmcjetpilot

ANY ONE KNOW OF ANY GOOD AIRPLANE MYTH'S TO SUBMIT?

.

How about the Dreaded Downwind Turn?!

[cytoxin]

was when they shot a bird through a GA windesheild ..sometimes thos two arent as smart as they would have you beleive. or when they burried the hat guy in a coffin. you gotta admit that was a challenge. never wouldve gotten me to try it. makes me sweat thinking about it.

[bsacks05]

"Sorry to ruin your myth."

Don't be sorry, George. It's not my myth. It does, however, spark impassioned debate and would be great to see someone demonstrate it.

[panhandler1956]

A friend of mine, a retired engineer that flew Mustangs in the War, asked me these questions:

1) An airplane in flight has a bird setting in a seat, clearly the weight of the bird is being lofted by the airplane. Now take that same scenario and now the bird is flying INSIDE the airplane, is the weight of the bird carried by the airplane? I have my opinions, but it's an interesting question.

2) If you are flying (or running or driving) in a rain storm, do you get wetter by going faster or slower or is there any difference?

Also why is Octoberfest in September.......why is West Palm Beach on the east coast of Florida.................................I digress!

My silly contribution!