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rcgldr
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Ignoring rotating Earth / Coriolis issues, other than due north / south / east / west headings, a constant heading course on a sphere is a spiral path. In the case of a great circle course, the heading changes over time.
Before GPS, advanced navigation over land could use RNAV to travel in straight lines while using VOR's on either side of the straight line path, probably a constant heading path.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Area_navigation
Since GPS, way points with great circle paths can be used, providing a course for the aircraft to follow.
At least in the USA, most commercial aircraft travel along specific "corridors", making it easier for ground traffic controllers to monitor aircraft and keep them separate. There is or will be an upgrade to the air traffic controller system to allow commercial aircraft to fly independent and closer to great circle type paths. The paths and altitudes are often adjusted to take advantage of prevailing winds and/or the jet stream.
Before GPS, advanced navigation over land could use RNAV to travel in straight lines while using VOR's on either side of the straight line path, probably a constant heading path.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Area_navigation
Since GPS, way points with great circle paths can be used, providing a course for the aircraft to follow.
At least in the USA, most commercial aircraft travel along specific "corridors", making it easier for ground traffic controllers to monitor aircraft and keep them separate. There is or will be an upgrade to the air traffic controller system to allow commercial aircraft to fly independent and closer to great circle type paths. The paths and altitudes are often adjusted to take advantage of prevailing winds and/or the jet stream.
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