124k views
0 votes
Charlie is at a small airfield watching for the approach of a small plane with engine trouble. He sees the plane at an angle of elevation of 32. At the same time, the pilot radios Charlie and reports the plane’s altitude is 1,700 feet. Charlie’s eyes are 5.2 feet from the ground.

User PeterK
by
8.1k points

1 Answer

7 votes
X would be the ground distance from Charlie to the plane
tan 32° = (1700-5.2) / x
which would give you x = 2712.25 ft

User CEH
by
8.6k points