Distance & Bearing Calculator
Calculate great circle distance and bearing between two airports or coordinates for precise flight planning and navigation.
Navigation Calculator
Departure Point
Destination Point
Wind Information (Optional)
Navigation Results
Navigation Information
Great Circle Navigation
This calculator uses great circle navigation, which provides the shortest distance between two points on Earth's surface.
Magnetic Variation
Magnetic bearing is estimated using simplified variation models. For precise navigation, consult current aviation charts for exact magnetic variation.
Wind Triangle
Wind correction calculations assume constant wind conditions. Actual flight planning should account for varying winds aloft.
Popular Aviation Routes - Distance Reference
Reference distances for common flight routes worldwide. All distances are great circle (shortest path).
| Route | Distance (NM) | Distance (km) | True Bearing | Typical Flight Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KJFK → EGLL (New York - London) | 3,459 | 6,406 | 051° | 7h 00m |
| KLAX → PHNL (Los Angeles - Honolulu) | 2,217 | 4,106 | 257° | 5h 30m |
| EGLL → OMDB (London - Dubai) | 2,994 | 5,545 | 107° | 6h 45m |
| KSFO → RJTT (San Francisco - Tokyo) | 4,476 | 8,290 | 306° | 10h 30m |
| YSSY → KLAX (Sydney - Los Angeles) | 6,516 | 12,066 | 057° | 13h 30m |
| EDDF → KJFK (Frankfurt - New York) | 3,364 | 6,231 | 288° | 8h 30m |
| VHHH → WSSS (Hong Kong - Singapore) | 1,401 | 2,595 | 214° | 3h 50m |
| KATL → KMIA (Atlanta - Miami) | 594 | 1,100 | 158° | 1h 50m |
* Flight times are estimates based on typical jet cruise speeds and assume favorable winds. Actual times vary with aircraft type, altitude, and wind conditions.
Great Circle vs. Rhumb Line Navigation
Great Circle Route
- Shortest distance between two points
- Saves fuel on long-distance flights
- Used by airlines for oceanic routes
- Requires changing heading continuously
Rhumb Line (Loxodrome)
- Constant bearing (easier navigation)
- Appears as straight line on Mercator charts
- Practical for short-distance VFR flights
- Longer distance than great circle route
Distance Difference Example: New York to London
Distance & Bearing Regulatory Requirements
FAA Requirements (United States)
14 CFR 91.103 - Preflight Action
Pilots must become familiar with all available information concerning the flight, including distances between waypoints and magnetic bearings for navigation planning.
14 CFR 61.51 - Pilot Logbooks
Requires accurate recording of cross-country flight distances, which must be calculated using great circle distance methods for flights over 50 nautical miles.
AC 61-23C - Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
Provides guidance on navigation techniques, emphasizing the importance of accurate distance and bearing calculations for dead reckoning navigation.
EASA Requirements (Europe)
SERA.5005(f) - Pre-flight Action
Commanders must determine fuel requirements and alternate aerodromes, calculations requiring accurate distance measurements between airports.
FCL.935 - Cross-Country Flight Requirements
Defines cross-country flights as those using dead reckoning and radio navigation aids, requiring precise distance and bearing calculations.
Professional Navigation Applications
Flight Planning
- Route distance calculations for fuel planning
- Bearing determinations for dead reckoning
- Waypoint navigation planning
- Alternate airport assessments
In-Flight Navigation
- Position fixing with two bearing lines
- Great circle route optimization
- Search and rescue coordinate systems
- Emergency diversion calculations
Professional Best Practices
Coordinate Accuracy
- Use precise GPS coordinates when available
- Verify coordinates from official sources
- Account for datum differences (NAD83 vs WGS84)
- Double-check coordinate format entry
Navigation Planning
- Calculate both magnetic and true bearings
- Account for magnetic variation changes
- Plan for great circle vs. rhumb line differences
- Consider terrain and airspace constraints
Cross-Verification
- Compare with sectional chart measurements
- Verify against GPS flight planning systems
- Cross-check with published airport distances
- Validate against known reference points
Calculation Methodology
Haversine Formula (Distance)
a = sin²(Δφ/2) + cos φ₁ × cos φ₂ × sin²(Δλ/2)
c = 2 × atan2(√a, √(1−a))
d = R × c
Where φ is latitude, λ is longitude, R is Earth's radius (3,440.065 NM), and d is the distance.
Initial Bearing Formula
θ = atan2(sin Δλ × cos φ₂,
cos φ₁ × sin φ₂ − sin φ₁ × cos φ₂ × cos Δλ)
The result θ is the initial bearing from point 1 to point 2. Convert to compass bearing using (θ + 360) mod 360.
Wind Correction Angle
WCA = arcsin((Vw × sin(WD − TC)) / TAS)
Where Vw is wind speed, WD is wind direction, TC is true course, and TAS is true airspeed.
Ground Speed
GS = TAS × cos(WCA) + Vw × cos(WD − TC)
Ground speed calculation accounts for headwind/tailwind component along the track.
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