To those who actually support the 'YES' answer, what are you guys thinking?

I'm am not a scientist. In fact, I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to science. But even I know that most airplanes, in this case, a 747, need to have wind pass it's wings in order for it to fly.

If a plane is on a conveyor belt that is moving backwards as fast as the plane is moving forward, then the plane is actually just staying still. If the plane stays still, then there is no wind passing it's wings.

And if you think a plane, with enough propulsion, can take off while staying still, then you are right, but those planes are called VTOLs (Vertical Take Off and Landing), and they use very powerful thrusters to lift them UPWARDS when taking off.

Other, more traditional planes have thrusters (propeller, jet turbine, etc) that move the plane FORWARD so the wind will do the job of lifting the aircraft.

UPDATE: Okay, I've seen the Mythbuster episode, and I am now in doubt about my own answer. But that doesn't mean I fully accept the other camp, though. The plane flown was just a light, propeller based plane, not a huge jet turbined behemoth like a 747.

UPDATE: Okay, I changed my mind. Actually it is possible to take off, even for a 747.

This post has been edited by mylife4nerzhul: Jun 24 2009, 08:48 PM