quade 4 #1 January 28, 2004 After Action Report: December 22 I had been flown blindfolded to a secret base. I really had no idea where I was but was told to report for a mission briefing. The mission would take place at night under cover of darkness so I’d have to fly on instruments and I wouldn’t have any clue as to the surface features I’d be flying over. I sort of wish I had paid more attention in astronomy class, but trying to fly by the stars wasn’t going to help me out tonight. At the briefing I had been told I would have enough fuel to fly 1500 miles but for security reasons I would not be given my actual route until aloft. The weather briefer said my entire route would be clear with no wind. I didn’t believe him but he assured me that at no time would I have to worry about that, it wouldn’t be a factor. I had also been told that I was to fly the mission according to a slaved compass card from an inertial navigation instument packed away in the airplane that I wouldn't have access to. The inertial nav unit was using laser ring gyros and there would be absolutely no errors over the entire course of the flight. I'd have a standard magnetic compass as a backup in case the navigation unit failed, but I was to fly the mission according to the slaved card. I hopped in the plane, fired up the engine and took off. Once aloft the instructions came for me to fly exactly 500 nautical miles north, exactly nautical 500 miles east and exactly nautical 500 miles south. After I completed my mission I found my self back at the secret base – precisely where I had started from! What they didn’t realize is that I’m a spy. Is there anything that can explain how that happened and give a clue as to where the secret base is located? BONUS QUESTION: If I tried really hard, could I eventually determine the latitude and longitude of the base and how might I go about doing that?quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #2 January 28, 2004 The only thing I can think of is that while flying east, you flew at half the speed before heading south again, and the rotation of the earth had something to do with it?So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarkM 0 #3 January 28, 2004 The base was at the south pole? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gravitymaster 0 #4 January 28, 2004 QuoteThe only thing I can think of is that while flying east, you flew at half the speed before heading south again, and the rotation of the earth had something to do with it? I'm thinking he would have to be in Antartica but I'm not good enough with math to be able to calculate his airspeed in relation to the rotation of the Earth. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #5 January 28, 2004 Well, actually, that IS a possible answer, but there are so many people at the south pole, I don't think they could put a secret base there. Let's take some spy satellite photos and have a look. Nope. No secret base there. Just the regular one with a bunch a scientists.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lawrocket 3 #6 January 28, 2004 Hmmm. Have you been whisked off blindfolded to a secret base on a perfectly spherical planet exactly 500 miles in circumference? That would explain it. This is hypothetical, of course.. My wife is hotter than your wife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #7 January 28, 2004 I don't remember any space travel being involved. No. I'm pretty sure we were on the planet Earth.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lawrocket 3 #8 January 28, 2004 QuoteI don't remember any space travel being involved. No. I'm pretty sure we were on the planet Earth. AHA! But you don't know, do you! You were blindfolded! I WIN! My wife is hotter than your wife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
labrys 0 #9 January 28, 2004 What has it gots in it's pocketssssesss? I'm stumpedOwned by Remi #? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Billy 0 #10 January 28, 2004 Hate these friggin things! I'm thinkin your far enough south of the North pole, any direction could work really, so that when you head East, the circumference of your flight path puts you back where you started when you initiated the turn, then heading South puts you back at the DZ! Not taking into account earths rotation. Mathematically I have no clue how to figure that out,, Isn't the circumferance of a circle something like "pie" "R" squared,, so "R" or 2R, or some shit of R, would be how far South of the North pole you'd have to be at the DZ... I mean da Base... Edit: Hope you figure this so I don't think about it all night, like stupid song ya here that sticks in your head!! Natural Born FlyerZ.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #11 January 28, 2004 QuoteBONUS QUESTION: If I tried really hard, could I eventually determine the latitude and longitude of the base and how might I go about doing that? If you had a map you could easily do a resection to find your location . BTW: It sounds like this mission could have been carried out under water"It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #12 January 28, 2004 Pretty much correct. Fly north for 500 miles, fly east all the way around the lines of longitude, and fly south 500 miles back to base. The base is located ((500/pi).5)+500 miles south of the north pole. You find the exact location of the base by flying all around the earth ((500/pi).5)+500 miles south of the north pole.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
downwardspiral 0 #13 January 28, 2004 thats what i was thinking 500 nautical miles south of the point where there earths circumferance is exactly 500 nautical miles. Unfortunately, thats enough info to get a latitude but what about the longitude?www.FourWheelerHB.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
labrys 0 #14 January 28, 2004 Quotefly east all the way around the lines of longitude Awe..... c'mon. You cant fly in circles and go "east" all the time.... can ya?Owned by Remi #? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #15 January 28, 2004 Get a globe and trace a path east along say . . . the Arctic Circle.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
labrys 0 #16 January 28, 2004 Maybe I'm sleepy..... but won't I be going west when I get 1/2 way around?Owned by Remi #? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
downwardspiral 0 #17 January 28, 2004 um yes, yur sleepywww.FourWheelerHB.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #18 January 28, 2004 Uh . . . no. Let's say you face north. No matter where you are on the planet (except the exact north or south poles) east will be to your right.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
labrys 0 #19 January 28, 2004 thought so. goodnight :-)Owned by Remi #? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
downwardspiral 0 #20 January 28, 2004 mental note: don't get in plane if labrys is flyingwww.FourWheelerHB.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
labrys 0 #21 January 28, 2004 Last post before bedtime... good idea. I had to buy a GPS to find my way home from the supermarket. Thanks to Magellan and big digital arrows I get to go home every day. Note to self: SPELLCHECKEROwned by Remi #? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Billy 0 #22 January 28, 2004 "thats enough info to get a latitude but what about the longitude?" Yea, thats what I was wondering too,, that and check the zoom on your nav map display,, gotta be something out there to spy your location with... Nite all.. Natural Born FlyerZ.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest #23 January 28, 2004 QuoteWell, actually, that IS a possible answer, but there are so many people at the south pole, I don't think they could put a secret base there. Let's take some spy satellite photos and have a look. Nope. No secret base there. Just the regular one with a bunch a scientists. Paul, do you know how much money it costs to change the orbit of a surveillance satellite? mh"The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #24 January 28, 2004 Paul, has you account been hacked by Spectre230???????Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aviatrr 0 #25 January 28, 2004 QuotePaul, has you account been hacked by Spectre230??????? I wonder how many people actually remember that.. That was a long time ago...well over 2 years.. Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
