Why do flights take a curved path?

Because the Earth revolves on its axis, this forces the equator to “bulge out” and be wider. Similar to the Earth itself, aircraft, therefore, take flight routes that also appear to be a curved line, tracing the Earth’s shape.

Do airplanes have to account for the Coriolis effect?

They really do not. The aircraft is already moving along with the surface of the Earth before it takes off. The rotation of the Earth has no direct significant effect on the aircraft. The Coriolis Effect is a result of the conservation of angular momentum.

Do pilots have to account for the Earth’s rotation?

Unfortunately, the air that the aeroplane is travelling through is also rotating. You don’t have to take any special account for the fact that that the Earth is rotating because you’re being carried with that medium. This is because there is friction between the air in the atmosphere and the ground below.

Do pilots adjust the flight path for the curvature of the Earth?

So the answer to the first part of your question is, yes, pilots do adjust the aircraft’s flight path to allow for the curvature of the Earth, and this is how they do it. There is no explicit “adjustment for curvature” term in the pilots’ (or autopilots’) calculations, however,…

Why can’t airplanes fly straight into space?

Airplane pilots don’t adjust course for the curve If the Earth were truly a sphere 25,000 miles in circumference, airplane pilots would have to constantly correct their altitudes downwards so as to not fly straight off into outer space. This is a mistake, it is not a proof the earth is flat.

Why do airplanes fly on curved routes?

Despite what some theories suggest, the Earth is not flat, and so curvature becomes an incredibly important factor in routes aircraft take. Similar to the Earth itself, aircraft, therefore, take flight routes that also appear to be a curved line, tracing the Earth’s shape.

How high can an airplane fly out of the Earth’s atmosphere?

Theoretically an airplane could maintain a flight altitude just a little over 1/64th of an inch out of level and circumnavigate the entire globe. I say theoretically because there are so many forces involved the plane’s computer or the pilot are always making corrections.