Why do airplanes fly in curved lines rather than a straight line?

Question

Or is it a line, just appears to be curved on a map because its flattened out? Never understood this.

Answer 1

The earth is not flat. It is a sphere (or more properly an ellipsoid since its rotation has the effect of flattening it slightly at the poles).



If you take two points on a sphere, you can draw an infinite number of straight lines between them. One of them is the shortest: it follows what is called a "great circle". When you draw that line on a flat projection of the earth (for example the common Mercator projection such as that used by Google Maps) it appears like a curve. But if you draw it on a spherical representation you will see it is actually straight.



This is why intercontinental flights (for example Paris to Los Angeles) travel far north.

Answer 2

The earth has a curve because it's round. An airplane has an altimeter witch is set by the pilot, it tells at what altitude the plane is flying, allowing it to stay at the given height. Most commercial aircraft fly at 30,000 or more feet, so yes they or flying in a curve. During the flight the pilot is in touch with ground control and making adjustment to the altimeter. The longer the flight the more contacts are made with ground control. The earth surface is not flat, if not for the altimeter, planes would fly into a mountain, tall building or towers. But today the pilot doesn't have to talk to ground control very often. There are beacons that broadcast the altitude in different part of the country.

Answer 3

Actually it cuts the distance down. this is one instance where the shortest distance between two points are not a straight line. The curve makes the distance shorter. Sometimes the planes can be going into the jetstream to save time and fuel and this accounts for the different routes also.

Answer 4

If, as a pilot, you do not keep a little left rudder on all the time, the airplane will easily go off course, not fly straight. The idea is that the earth is not flat.

Answer 5

Hint: The Earth is not flat.