Calculate Flight Time And Distance

Haversine Formula:

\[ Distance = 2 \times R \times \arcsin\left(\sqrt{\sin^2\left(\frac{lat2 - lat1}{2}\right) + \cos(lat1) \times \cos(lat2) \times \sin^2\left(\frac{lon2 - lon1}{2}\right)}\right) \]

Latitude 1:

degrees

Longitude 1:

degrees

Latitude 2:

degrees

Longitude 2:

degrees

Speed:

km/h

Distance:

Time:

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1. What is the Haversine Formula?

The Haversine formula calculates the great-circle distance between two points on a sphere given their longitudes and latitudes. It's particularly useful for calculating distances between locations on Earth, making it ideal for flight distance calculations.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Haversine formula:

\[ Distance = 2 \times R \times \arcsin\left(\sqrt{\sin^2\left(\frac{lat2 - lat1}{2}\right) + \cos(lat1) \times \cos(lat2) \times \sin^2\left(\frac{lon2 - lon1}{2}\right)}\right) \]

Where:

\( lat1, lon1 \) — Latitude and longitude of starting point (degrees)
\( lat2, lon2 \) — Latitude and longitude of destination point (degrees)
\( R \) — Earth's radius (6371 km)
\( Speed \) — Aircraft speed (km/h)

Time Calculation: Time = Distance / Speed

3. Importance of Flight Distance Calculation

Details: Accurate flight distance and time calculations are essential for flight planning, fuel estimation, scheduling, and navigation. The Haversine formula provides the shortest distance between two points on a sphere (great-circle distance).

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter latitude and longitude coordinates in decimal degrees format. Positive values for north/east, negative for south/west. Ensure speed is entered in km/h for accurate time calculations.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use Haversine formula instead of simple Euclidean distance?
A: The Earth is spherical, so Euclidean distance would be inaccurate for longer distances. Haversine accounts for Earth's curvature.

Q2: How accurate is the Haversine formula?
A: It's very accurate for most practical purposes, typically within 0.5% of the actual great-circle distance.

Q3: What coordinate format should I use?
A: Use decimal degrees format (e.g., 40.7128° instead of 40°42'46"N).

Q4: Does this account for actual flight paths and air traffic?
A: No, this calculates the great-circle distance. Actual flight paths may vary due to air traffic control, weather, and other factors.

Q5: Can I use this for nautical miles instead of kilometers?
A: Yes, but you would need to adjust the Earth's radius (use 3440 nautical miles instead of 6371 km).