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Old 21st October 2011 | 14:48
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RichardH
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Sunny Solihull
Yes this often gets students. Check add up the 2 LONGITUDES if they equal 180 then the second position is on the anti-meridian! So the GC distance will be from N62 north up the 093E meridian to the north pole then south down the 087W meridian to N62. If in doubt have a look on a globe.

N62 to N90 = 28 change latitude + N90 to N62 = 28 change latitude so total latitude change of 56 * 60 (1 degree of latitude = 60nm) = 3360 nm is the shortest great circle distance.

The rhumb line distance would be 180 * 60 * cos62 = 5070 nm, which explains many long-haul flights routing via the polar regions.
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