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.)

Correct Answer: Option B — A great circle course would offer no significant advantage because the rhumb line course is close to 180°.

When a route runs almost strictly north-south along a constant meridian, the rhumb line course approaches 180°T. Under these geometric conditions, a great circle track offers virtually no distance advantage over a standard rhumb line course, per Bowditch sailing principles.