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The Great Circle Challenge

Clearly, from recent posts, we all have a favoured way of solving great circle sailings (which we’ll probably never use for real).  Let’s put them to the test by trying something a bit more complicated like a southern to northern hemisphere crossing combined with a crossing of 180degrees E/W.  How about emulating Captain Cook by travelling from Cook Strait (CS), New Zealand to Waimea Bay (WB), Kauai, Hawaii?  Cook followed the pretty route, but we’ll go direct by great circle.  The coordinates are CS 41d 30’S, 174d30’E to WB 21d57’N, 159d 40’W.  Use your favourite method and report back on your answer, the time it took you, and any difficulties encountered.

I’ll stick with the diagram method, because at least I’ll know what I’m trying to prove, and I won’t have as many rules to remember and apply which might or might not work.  Dave