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0 sats \ 2 replies \ @benwehrman 16h \ on: Airlines, travels and Nostr AMA
Is the Earth flat or globe? I'm sure you got some good high-altitude views on those flights š
Great question to start with!
As an airline pilot, one of the first things you learn in flight planning is that the Earth is a globe, not just because itās what textbooks say, but because you see and fly it every day. Pilots donāt just rely on visual confirmation from high altitudes (though yes, you can see the curvature from a cruising altitude of 35,000 feet on a clear day); we also have to understand the shape of the Earth to fly efficiently.
Let me explain:
š We fly Orthodromic Routes (great circles)
When planning long-haul flights, we donāt fly in a straight line on a flat map. We use whatās called the orthodromic route, or great circle route, the shortest path between two points on a sphere. On a 2D map, this looks curved, but in 3D space, itās actually the shortest distance.
Thatās why a flight from New York to Tokyo, for example, curves up over the Arctic instead of going straight west. If the Earth were flat, the shortest path would be a straight line across the Pacific, but thatās not how it works.
š§ Loxodromic Routes are for simplicity, not efficiency
Sometimes, especially in older navigation systems or short-distance flights, we might use a loxodromic (rhumb line) route: one that maintains a constant compass bearing. On a flat map, it looks straight, but on a globe, it's longer and spirals toward the poles. It's easier to follow but less fuel-efficient.
The fact that we even distinguish between these two types of navigation proves weāre dealing with a curved surface, not a flat one.
āļø High Altitude Views Seal the Deal
From 35,000 feet, with good visibility, you can see the horizon gently curve, especially over oceans or polar regions. It's subtle, but real. And the higher you go (like in a business jet or Concorde), the more obvious it becomes.
So from my experience, I'd say that the Earth isnāt flat. If it were, our navigation systems, flight routes, fuel calculations, and even satellite communications wouldnāt work the way they do.
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Fantastic answer! I should bookmark this for the flat earth folks
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