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From Heathrow to Hong Kong

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2016

John K. Backhouse
John K. Backhouse*
Affiliation:
University of Oxford Department of Educational Studies, 15 Norham Gardens, Oxford OX2 6PY
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Extract

A friend was travelling by air direct to Hong Kong. “When I leave Heathrow”, he asked, “on what bearing do you think the aeroplane will fly?” He gave me the latitudes of Heathrow and Hong Kong (approximately 51° and 22°N) and the longitude of the latter (114°E). My answer was not a good one. The reader is urged to make his or her own estimate before reading further.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Mathematical Gazette , Volume 70 , Issue 452 , June 1986 , pp. 104 - 107
Copyright
Copyright © Mathematical Association 1986

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References

1. The intersection of a sphere with a plane passing through its centre is called a great circle.

2. h = rad(9O-51·64), k = rad(90-22·27), p = rad(114·2 + 0·45).

3. There is, of course, the possibility that the direct great circle route may pass over prohibited areas. In this case the journey may be broken down into a number of great circle routes.

4. I use distance = (angle in degrees) × 60 × 6080/5280 miles. The 60 converts to nautical miles, 6080 to feet and 5280 to miles.