unsolved puzzle

[Prim0]

I do not agree. If the wings bent to fit the curvature of the earth, then your statement would be true. But assuming that the wings stayed rigid, they would travel the same distance, the circles travelled by the wingtips and the centre point at the height of the wings would have the same diameter.

Completely wrong....I worked it out!

 

[tboy]

That would also be true in absolute terms since the circumference of the earth is greatest at the equator so therefore by some minuscule (nanometre/nanometer) distance the center of an aircraft 100 meters/feet wide which flew exactly on the equator around the world would travel farther than the tips of the wings. However, I'm not going to loose sleep over it.

actually the top of the vertical stabilizer would travel the furthest and the plane's engines would wear out faster than any other parts if it flew non-stop because they have the most moving parts with surface to surface contact. The oil would lose it's viscosity or luding ability and cause the parts to wear faster than normal. Unless of course you come up with a flying mechanic that would be able to change the oil while the plane is in flight lol

 

[tboy]

I do not agree. If the wings bent to fit the curvature of the earth, then your statement would be true. But assuming that the wings stayed rigid, they would travel the same distance, the circles travelled by the wingtips and the centre point at the height of the wings would have the same diameter.

well, actually, the wings on all airframes (or should I say most rub? lol) are somewhat flexible to handle the stress of variable air dynamics. If you've ever seen a heavily laden 747 or ? take off the wing tips tend to bend up as the wings take the load.

There's a video around the net where boeing (?) was testing the new wings on their 747 (?) and they built a giant jig to hold the fuselage stable, while the wing tips were bent upwards. The wing tips almost touched above the plane before they let go.....it was a site to see....(but talk about LETTING GO lol)

 

[261252]

Completely wrong....I worked it out!

And then the night janitor erases the board!