Simviation Forums

In the real world, airlines fly an inverted U shape when flying from asia to america, (e.g KIMPO Intl to KSFO). In FS, that happens too. Just wanted to know, why? Isn't easier to fly in a straight line or is it airlines prefer to stay closer to land through the flight?

Thanks guys and gals!

Because the Earth isn't flat.  the shortest path between two points of a sphere is an arc, not a straight line

This is called A "Great Circle Course" by navigators.

BillA (aka Gringo6)

Yes, if you got access to a globe, get a length of sstring and put it from London to New York. Then compare the route with the same on a flat map, you'd be surprised at the difference!

One of my worst complaints about FS2004 is the cylindrical projection model of the earth.

Also, the line will become the normal-looking "U" if you're flying below the Equator.  As the fastest way around the earth at the equator IS the equator.  

-HF

-P.S I think that's why when you see the movies of the Space Shuttle control centers, you see the curvy lines on the map on the screen.  As that's the orbit or something.

really???? I suppose our are right...well, the earth sure isn't flat

Just look at a globe, and you will realize it. It's much easier than to explain it.
You have to understand that the map depicted in FS flightplanner is NOT to scale. It's a so called Mercator projection, where the meridians are parrallel. In real life they converge at each pole.

On a mercator projection, the shortest distance from point to point, is indeed an arc...whereas on a Gauss projection (which depicts converging meridians), the shortest distance is a straight line  8)

Confusing, isn't it?  :)

[quote]Confusing, isn't it?

Because the Earth isn't flat.

Say it ain't so!  


best,

.....john

[quote]Just look at a globe, and you will realize it. It's much easier than to explain it.
You have to understand that the map depicted in FS flightplanner is NOT to scale. It's a so called Mercator projection, where the meridians are parrallel. In real life they converge at each pole.

On a mercator projection, the shortest distance from point to point, is indeed an arc...whereas on a Gauss projection (which depicts converging meridians), the shortest distance is a straight line