Mastering the Great Circle Mapper: A Pro’s Guide

Travel industry websites rarely inspire excitement; they often serve as mere tools. However, if I were to pick a favourite, it would undoubtedly be the Great Circle Mapper (GCM). This website isn’t just a tool—it’s a fascinating service that captures the intrigue of aviation and travel enthusiasts alike. Here’s how to use the Great Circle Mapper like a pro.

What is the Great Circle Mapper?

Great Circle Mapper, or gcmap.com, provides a unique service: calculating the shortest route between any two airports on the planet and displaying this path on a two-dimensional map. It also computes the distance between the airports (in kilometres, miles, or nautical miles) and the initial heading required to fly the trip.

Getting Started

To begin, navigate to gcmap.com. The user interface is straightforward yet packed with powerful features. Let’s walk through the basics.

Entering Routes

1. Simple Routes: To plot a straightforward route, enter the airport codes in the search box. For example, to map a flight from New York’s JFK to London’s LHR, type JFK-LHR.
2. Multiple Segments: For multi-leg journeys, add more airport codes separated by hyphens. For instance, JFK-LHR-SIN will display a route from New York to London to Singapore.
3. Non-Stop Flights: Use the tilde (~) for non-stop flights. For example, JFK~LHR~SIN ensures each segment is non-stop.

Advanced Routing

• Great Circle Distance: By default, GCM shows the shortest path between two points, known as the great circle route. This is the most efficient route airlines use to save fuel.
• Custom Waypoints: Add specific waypoints or intermediate stops using coordinates or waypoint codes. For example, JFK-55N020W-LHR includes a waypoint over the North Atlantic.

Customizing Your Map

1. Map Style: Customize map styles under “Map Controls”. Choose from various options like Mercator, Cylindrical, or Stereographic projections.
2. Colours and Labels: Customize the colour of your route lines and labels to distinguish between different segments or highlight specific parts of your journey.
3. Map Size: Adjust the map size under “Map Controls” to suit your needs, whether for a presentation or a detailed analysis.

Making the Most of GCM Features

Mileage Calculation

• Total Distance: After plotting your route, GCM calculates the total distance, useful for earning miles with frequent flyer programs.
• Segment Distances: The breakdown of distances for each segment helps in planning connections and layovers.

Time Zones and Airports

• Time Zone Information: Clicking on an airport code provides detailed information, including local time, helping you plan your trip across different time zones.
• Airport Details: GCM offers comprehensive details about each airport, including IATA and ICAO codes, elevation, and geographic coordinates.

Exporting and Sharing

• Export Options: Download your map in various formats like PNG, JPEG, or even as a Google Earth KML file.
• Sharing: Share your maps directly via social media or embed them on websites using the provided HTML code.

Practical Use Cases

Planning Travel

GCM is perfect for visualizing complex itineraries. Whether you’re a travel agent or planning a family vacation, seeing the entire journey on a map makes it easier to organize and explain your plans.

Aviation Enthusiasts

For aviation geeks, GCM offers a playground to explore historical flights, and unusual routes, and even track specific aircraft. Entering flight numbers (e.g., BA178) can show the exact path a plane took.

Frequent Flyers

Frequent flyers can maximize their miles by planning routes that earn the most points. Visualizing the distances helps in choosing flights that offer the best value for mileage accrual. For example, British Airways has a 2,000-mile rule that limits Avios redemptions to shorter, direct flights under 2,000 miles. Using GCM, you can find the shortest routes that maximize your Avios points within this limit.

Advanced Features

ETOPS Range

• ETOPS (Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards): GCM can show areas within ETOPS range, helping in planning routes that comply with ETOPS regulations.

Search Engine

• Location Database: GCM includes an extensive database of airports and other locations. Use the search engine to find detailed information about these locations.

Range Maps

• Range Circles: Display areas within a specified range of a location. This is useful for visualizing the reach of certain airports or aircraft.

Tips and Tricks

• Use Real-Time Data: Integrate GCM with flight tracking websites for real-time data on flight paths and statuses.
• Explore Variations: Compare different routing options to find the most efficient or interesting paths.
• Stay Updated: Follow GCM on social media or join forums to stay updated with new features and tips from other users.

Conclusion

The Great Circle Mapper is more than just a tool for drawing lines on a map. It’s a comprehensive resource for anyone involved in air travel. By mastering its features, you can plan more efficiently, gain deeper insights into your journeys, and enjoy the fascinating world of aviation mapping.

Ready to start? Head over to gcmap.com and plot your next adventure like a pro!