is it easier to fly south because its downhill?

Question

(if you're in the northern hemisphere and heading to say south africa or australia that is)

Answer 1

North of the Equator it is easier to fly south because it is uphill (equatorial bulge). Centrifugal force (mv^2/r) increases as latitude decreases. South of the Equator, it is easier to fly North.

Answer 2

There's no difference in travelling to the north or south hemisphere....

Imagine that an alien came through our solar system but flew in 'upside down'... All the planets would still appear 'the right way up' to him, so to him the 'top' of the planets would be in reverse of what we think they are.... Its just like people in australia dont stand on their heads even though they may seem that they should!

Answer 3

Actually, since the Earth is spinning, its waist (the equator region) is actually bloaded-out a bit, in response to centripedal force.
Thus, you would be traveling uphill as you approached the equator from either polar direction.
There are nautical references to 'Downhill', which either refer to map coordinates which go from the top of an oceanographic map toward its bottom, or refer to traveling along within a steady, significant current which makes for more speed (hence, downhill).
The last nautical reference to 'Downhill' expresses the last run (tack) toward a home bay or frequent port.
Lastly, the phrase 'flying downhill' does not make much sense unless you are using Ground Effects to float your aircraft.

Answer 4

No - once you get past the equator you'll be going uphill again!

I'd say fly to Kenya and then take the elevator :)

Answer 5

noooo! the gravity is all the same everywhere, in the windows you're looking for,

there should be another source of gravity to pull us to the south hemisphere

Answer 6

No, going south to the equator is slightly uphill.

Answer 7

Nay! easier in the mind.

Answer 8

lol