You are planning a voyage by great circle from Reykjavik (LAT 63°30'N, LONG 24°00'W) to the Azores (LAT 39°30'N, LONG 29°00'W). Which statement is TRUE? (Use gnomonic tracking chart WOXZC 5274)

Correct Answer: Option D — The great circle track is not appreciably shorter than a rhumb line track.

Great circle tracks between these specific latitudes are nearly identical to rhumb lines because the difference in longitude is relatively small and the latitudes are moderate. According to Bowditch, the savings in distance for such short-to-medium runs is often negligible, making the rhumb line a practical and efficient alternative.