The airplane has just arrived at the "Current Position". It is time to calculate the next position along a line from the airplane to airport B. Point the aircraft directly at airport B. Cruise on this heading for 10 minutes then do it all over again.

Equation(s)

Note: This example does not include crosswind calculations

What is known

• XY coordinates of the current position
• XY coordinates of airport A
• XY coordinates of airport B

Calculate

1. Calculate the location of point Z (XY coordinates)
   (see "Code to Help The Student Get Started" on how to do this)


2. Calculate the distance D₁ = current position to point Z


3. calculate the distance D₂ = current position to airport B


4. calculate the distance D₃ = point Z to airport B


5. calculate the next position's XY coordinates

Using similar triangles

Note: not necessary but useful when taking crosswinds into consideration

1. calculate the distance d₁


2. calculate the distance d₂ (d₂ is 10 minutes of flight time)


3. calculate the distance d₃

Note: Be sure to you don't overshoot airport B.

This diagram does not take into account crosswinds.
"Next Position" is where the airplane would be without them.

FYI

What is the difference between a heading and a bearing?

Heading is the direction your nose is pointing. Not necessarily the direction you are traveling in.
Bearing is the direction to some target outside of your vehicle, say a destination or a port of origin.
The bearing might be absolute (according to a compass) or relative (according to your heading).
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