Great Circle Distance
Great-circle distance is the shortest distance between any two points on the surface of a sphere that is measured along a path on the surface of the sphere.
Great circle route. The shortest distance across the surface of a sphere (the Earth) between two points on the surface.
Great Circle. The line over the surface of the earth in the shortest curved path. It is, in fact, the shortest line joining two points on the earth's surface.
Great Circle The shortest line joining two points on the earth's surface
Ground Speed The speed of an aeroplane relative to the earth's surface
IAS The airspeed as shown by an airspeed indicator ...
Desired track - The great circle course computed by the FMS/RNAV, it goes from the past waypoint to the next (active) waypoint.
Related Definitions from Aviation Glossary ...
Actual IFR GPS requires proficiency of the highest order ---GPS use magnetic course adjusted from true course to give great circle track
Distance from station affects the sensitivity of the course deviation needle in VOR or LOC ...
DESIRED TRACK- The planned or intended track between two waypoints. It is measured in degrees from either magnetic or true north. The instantaneous angle may change from point to point along the great circle track between waypoints.
A great circle route would have the shortest ground distance, but is unlikely to have the shortest air-distance, due to the effect of head or tail winds.
 See also: Flight, Plane, Direct, Speed, Aircraft
  
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