NASA reports like Reference Publication 1207 (1988) and Technical Paper 2835 (1989) use these assumptions to linearize aircraft equations of motion. By treating the Earth as a flat, stationary plane, engineers can:
: For aircraft flying at relatively low speeds and over short distances, these factors are negligible and "lost in the noise" of larger effects like wind and turbulence. NASA Flat Non Rotating Earth pdf
: Historical reports were written when computer power was limited; simplifying the model allowed for faster simulations. Common Misinterpretations NASA reports like Reference Publication 1207 (1988) and
While these documents are occasionally cited as "proof" for flat Earth theories, NASA and independent experts from USA Today and AAP FactCheck clarify that these are "idealizing assumptions". No, NASA didn't admit the earth is flat - AAP NASA Flat Non Rotating Earth pdf
: Removing variables for the Earth's curvature and rotation (Coriolis effect) makes the equations manageable.