TED-Ed: Can you solve the airplane riddle? - Judd A. Schorr

A professor designs a plane to fly around the world nonstop but faces a fuel capacity issue. To solve this, he uses three planes that can transfer fuel midair. The planes coordinate their journey, with one plane returning to refuel while the others continue. The professor's plane reaches the halfway point, and the other planes meet him to transfer fuel, allowing all to complete the journey successfully. The experiment concludes with a promise of future commercial flights.

What is the main challenge the professor faces with his plane design?

How does the professor plan to ensure that he can fly continuously without running out of fuel?

Describe the coordination strategy used by the three planes during the flight.

What happens when the professor reaches the halfway point of his journey?

What is the outcome of the flight experiment and what does the professor promise afterward?