[Teds89IROC]

you're right, you need thrust and airflow. If the wheels of the plane were what was moving the plane across the ground in the first place, you would be correct, it would not take off. Being that the wheels only assist in moving the plane and are free rolling with no emphasis on direction, they have nothing to do with the thrust of the plane, they are negligable. Their only purpose is to fight friction and allow the plane to be moved, they don't push the plane.

~Ted