PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Directly downwind faster than the wind.
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Old 6th Jul 2010, 20:30
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KiloB
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Wilds of Warwickshire
Posts: 240
Received 8 Likes on 6 Posts
I fear this is just the latest iteration of the 'Perpetual Motion Machine' Gig.

Let's say the Machine moves off downwind and accelerates to the wind speed. At that stage the RELATIVE WIND is zero. To accelerate further the wheels would have to provide additional energy to the Prop, so they would slow down. So the Machine would slow down. So, you can never go faster than the wind speed directly downwind.

Pity though; If it worked us flying types could replace the wheels with a 'drive' Prop instead of the wheels and go flying for free!!
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