Solo Flight "Around" the World?

[Bruce]

As I recall, one definition of a circumnavigation requires that one travel around the antipode of the starting position. A similar definiton would be that it can be any closed curve, as long there are two antipodal points such that every path between them crosses the circumnavigation curve an even number of times.

So does taking a shortcut by digging a hole through the center of the earth count?

 

[AmateurScientist]

Let me guess:


2) Cold air is more dense, enabling better engine efficiency

Actually, it's not engine efficiency that is boosted by cold, dense air. It's lift. More air passing over an airfoil's surface means the plane climbs faster and in a shorter distance measured over the ground. Furthermore, the plane's control surfaces are more responsive in cold, dense air than in less dense warmer air.

AS

 

[Art Vandelay]

So does taking a shortcut by digging a hole through the center of the earth count?

Such a route would mean that the antipode path condition wouldn't hold. Although, before, when I said "even", I think I should have said "odd".

 

[Elind]

So does taking a shortcut by digging a hole through the center of the earth count?

Nope. Because the Chinese wouldn't allow you to get out at the other end.

 

[Elind]

I once owned an Austin Healy Sprite that had over 230,000 miles on it....do I qualify? Granted, I didn't put all those miles on it but if I could track down all the previous owners could we get some sort of award?

God! I can't believe what we have in common! It's agonizing.

That was the first car I ever had. Don't ask when.

 

[Elind]

Actually, it's not engine efficiency that is boosted by cold, dense air. It's lift. More air passing over an airfoil's surface means the plane climbs faster and in a shorter distance measured over the ground. Furthermore, the plane's control surfaces are more responsive in cold, dense air than in less dense warmer air.

AS

Yes, but that's applicable mainly to landing or take-off. At 45000 feet it's pretty much the same conditions wherever you are.

 

[AmateurScientist]

Yes, but that's applicable mainly to landing or take-off. At 45000 feet it's pretty much the same conditions wherever you are.

Good point, and true unless you happen to be in or near a tall thunderstorm. Of course, at 45,000 ft there's not any cold dense air, so control surfaces behave the same regardless of conditions below.

This is a slight derail, but I was responding to Aerocontrols' comment about engine efficiency, whereas I believe he probably meant control surface responsiveness.

AS