Does an aircraft travel in a straight line?

[VSI9k+]

If flying from point A to point B...assuming you are cleared direct, are you actually flying in a straight line? Please explain.

 

[PositionandHold]

I guess it would depend on what you're referencing it by. If you want to flatten out the globe into a map, it won't be a straight line. If you mean in spherical terms (i.e. the earth), and you're looking at it straight above, why wouldn't it be a straight line?

 

[VSI9k+]

well thats the thing...if you consider that the aircraft operates in a 3rd dimention...then the line would have to operate in a 3rd dimention aswell. So as the aircraft cruises arcoss the gound at a constant altitude...its flight path is curved.

Or am i missing something here? If so what?

 

[User998]

Edited

 

[paulsalem]

well thats the thing...if you consider that the aircraft operates in a 3rd dimention...then the line would have to operate in a 3rd dimention aswell. So as the aircraft cruises arcoss the gound at a constant altitude...its flight path is curved.

Or am i missing something here? If so what?

Makes sense to me other wise you'd end up in space

 

[Groucho]

Not if I'm flying it.

When I transitioned off of glass back to steam guages for a short period the instuructor said, "just fly straight and level." "Sure I said, which one do you want first?"

 

[Fugawe]

well thats the thing...if you consider that the aircraft operates in a 3rd dimention...then the line would have to operate in a 3rd dimention aswell. So as the aircraft cruises arcoss the gound at a constant altitude...its flight path is curved.

Or am i missing something here? If so what?

Based on this theory/idea ocean liners never travel straight lines. If you walk across the US, you encounter the curvature of the earth, so it's not a straight line. If you walk a mile, it's not a straight line, if you run a 100 yd dash, it's not a straight line................................................

What's the definition of 'straight line'?


Fugawe

 

[pilotyip]

All direct lines between two points on the surface a sphere have a degree of curve to match the curvature of the spherical surface. If viewed from overhead in two dimensions, it would appear as a straight line provided the line on the surface of the sphere was defined by the intersection of surface and a plane passing through the center of the sphere. Better know as a great circle. All lines of longitude are great circles; the equator is the only latitude line that defines a great circle. So the answer is it is not a straight line it has a curve.

 

[VSI9k+]

thanks guys...

 

[FN FAL]

What's the definition of 'straight line'?


Fugawe

The opposite of a "gay line"? And what's up with those colored airways, anyway?

 

[Immelman]

Don't forget that the earth is rotating on its axis.. ~1000 mph of velocity standing still at the equator... earth is rotating round the sun.. sun around the center of the milky way.. milky way around the (who knows). Straight lines are silly.

 

[kingsize]

yep these guys are right, not a straight line.
Keep in mind that the world is huge compared to your little plane, so if you traveled from point A to B, but flew it all at FL300, how much curvature is really involved? A few feet?

What about this--- let's say A to B is 1000 miles if driven by a car on a perfectly flat, driect road. If you provided "cover" for that car (let's say you're carrying some GBU-38s), but you're at FL300, how far are you really going? It's definitely more than 1000 miles. Some math nerd here can probably give you a perfect answer by using some simple trigonometry and the radius of the Earth.

 

[Salukipilot4590]

And what's up with those colored airways, anyway?

Colored airways? What did I miss?

 

[Joecool3]

You didn't miss much-B! LOL!

 

[SkyBoy1981]

You didn't miss much-B! LOL!

ROFL wonder how long it will take for that avatar to be removed. Very nice though.

 

[timeoff]

It might make it until morning. Nice jublies I might add.

 

[TriStar_drvr]

When I transitioned off of glass back to steam guages for a short period the instuructor said, "just fly straight and level." "Sure I said, which one do you want first?"

We need more posts like this on this board. Thanks, Groucho.

 

[I fLy pLaNeS]

Moving with the Earth

How about a flight from the far Northern Hemisphere to the far Southern Hemisphere? Are we traveling with the Earth's rotation as long as we hold the magnetic course? Ah....nevermind :erm:

 

[Gorilla]

I can't believe no one's given a "straight" answer... the shortest distance between two points on a globe is a great circle route. It's easy to visualize. Find a globe, grab a string, and stretch the shortest length possible that will fit between the great State of TX and Tokyo. The string will fly up to the Northwest, along the Alaska coast, down the Aleutians, maybe across Kamchatka, and on to Tokyo. If plotted on a flat map, the route looks like a thrown baseball, arcing up, then down.

The heading required to fly the route will change continually the whole flight. But in terms of miles flown, and fuel burned, it is the best route, winds ignored.

Same deal TX to London. It's across the North Atlantic, not the mid atlantic.

 

[CE402]

Ok....what if you dug a hole (big enough for you to fit in) straight through the Earth to the direct opposite side. Take away temperature change as a factor (assume you're protected from it).....
....you jump in....what happens?