2 ms·
> you will have to constantly steer to follow constant bearing paths Is this why airline routes look like they are "hopping" on a map? When I was a kid, I tho
by ghurtado 4mo ago
> you will have to constantly steer to follow constant bearing paths
Is this why airline routes look like they are "hopping" on a map?
When I was a kid, I thought this was meant to represent the Z axis (so until today)
- srean 4mo agoVery likely no. Airline routes between touchpoints usually follow great circles, not constant bearing paths. Great circles are shortest paths and also they do not need any steering (modulo crosswinds etc). The bearing keeps changing along the great circle path though *, this why sailors of earlier vintage preferred constant bearing paths -- easy to be sure that you are on track, just keep the ship pointed at the required angle with respect to North South direction. In other words, the kid was damn right. * Except for North South paths and along Equator paths.