G-Nav question

[Transsonic2000]

Hi there,

I'd need some help with the following question:

The relative bearing to a beacon is 270°R. Three minutes later, at a ground speed of 180 knots, it has changed to 225°R (corrected! previously 255). What was the distance of the closest point of approach of the aircraft to the beacon?

Correct answer would be 9 nm.

I just can't figure it out at the moment (perhaps it's to late, should go to bed) - there must be a formula for this :ugh:

Thanks!

[Da-20 monkey]

Are you sure the 2nd relative bearing isn't 225 degrees?

[SFI145]

For 9 nm to be the correct answer the second RB would be 225R

[hvogt]

Indeed, there seems to be an error. As the others have said, the given answer of 9 nm would make the second RB 225 degrees.

The answer to the question as it is would be 36 nm (using the 1/60 rule).

[slav4o1]

Using trigonometry I get 33.5nm :ok:

[Transsonic2000]

Thanks for the respond! Yes, you guys are right, the second RB is 225 not 255 - I guess that's contributed to human error, which proofs that one should be working on this type of question when it's to late (at night)!