Originally Posted by Dan Winterland
The Earth is ana oblate spheroid, fatter at the equator due to rotation.
The shortest track between two points is actually a rhumb line.
A great circle is the largest circle that can be made on the earth. This is if you think about it, the same as a rhumb line. Although, now we know the Earth is an oblate spheroid, this would technically have to be drawn along the eqatuor.
I must get out more
Hi Dan,
well, this only true in two cases:
You are flying along the equator (Track 090/270) or your track is 000/180, when flying along a meridian...
Rumbline distance is always greater or equal to GC (geodetic line, to be precise) distance.
cheers