> >
>
> A catapult is very different from a runway. A catapult is an external
> device that adds power to the airplane. A runway is simply a thing that
> allows an appropriate space for an airplane to gather momentum under its
own
> power, the same way a swan needs an appropriate space to gather momentum
> under its own power. An airplane could take off from rock or dirt (and
they
> do, sometimes).
I think that's valid. I'd like to add something that I haven't seen. One
looks at whether the plane continues to fly at a constant altitude once the
effects of the catapult have been virtually eliminated. One can figure out
the added energy of the catapult, and the added drag due to that much speed
being added. After a few minutes, the catapult effect would be virtually
eliminated.
Or, one could compare the performance to the lightest catapult launched
glider of the time.
Dan M.
