Navigation General · Sailings — Composite Great Circle
A composite great-circle track is used when the navigator wants to:
- ASail the longest route
- BAvoid using charts
- CGain great-circle economy while limiting the track to a maximum latitude (avoiding ice/heavy weather)✓ Correct
- DStay on one meridian
Explanation
A composite track combines great-circle arcs with a segment along a limiting parallel of latitude, keeping the vessel from going higher than a chosen latitude (to avoid ice, gales, or restricted areas) while still shortening the distance.
Authority: Bowditch
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