Which term describes a route that makes the same angle with each meridian of longitude?

Prepare for the Air Traffic Control (ATC) Basics Block 3 Test. Study with in-depth flashcards, hints, and explanations for each question. Ace your ATC exam!

The term that describes a route making the same angle with each meridian of longitude is known as a rhumb line. A rhumb line, also referred to as a loxodrome, represents a path that crosses all meridians at the same angle. This characteristic means it maintains a consistent direction relative to the geographic coordinate system, making it useful for navigation, especially in maritime and aeronautical contexts.

While the great circle represents the shortest distance between two points on the Earth's surface, it does not maintain a constant angle with meridians, which can result in changing directions over longer distances. A parallel refers to lines of latitude, which run horizontally and do not meet at the poles, and a meridian specifically denotes a vertical line of longitude. Each of these terms describes different navigational or geographic concepts, but a rhumb line is uniquely defined by its uniform angle with each meridian, which is essential for certain types of navigation.

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