Question

A plane is taking off at an angle θ=12°
𝜃
=
12
°
from a horizontal runway. To the nearest foot, find the distance the plane has flown when its altitude is 300 feet from the ground.

Answer 1

Let s be the distance flown along the flight path (the hypotenuse). With altitude 300 ft as the side opposite θ = 12°,

s = 300 / sin(12°) ≈ 300 / 0.207912 ≈ 1443 ft.

So the plane has flown about 1,443 feet.