You are on a voyage from Nome to Honolulu via Unimak Pass (LAT 54°30'N, LONG 164°30'W). The great circle track passes through a point at LAT 38°00'N, LONG 161°40'W. Using gnomonic chart WOXZC 5270, determine which answer is TRUE. (The great circle distance, Unimak Pass to Honolulu, is 2013 miles.)

Question

You are on a voyage from Nome to Honolulu via Unimak Pass (LAT 54&deg;30'N, LONG 164&deg;30'W). The great circle track passes through a point at LAT 38&deg;00'N, LONG 161&deg;40'W. Using gnomonic chart WOXZC 5270, determine which answer is TRUE. (The great circle distance, Unimak Pass to Honolulu, is 2013 miles.)

Accepted Answer

Option B: A great circle course would offer no significant advantage because the rhumb line course is close to 180&deg;.. Great circle tracks provide significant distance savings primarily when the rhumb line course is near East or West. When the rhumb line is near North or South, the great circle track closely approximates the rhumb line, offering negligible distance advantages for the voyage.