If the Earth were a sphere, airplane pilots would have to constantly correct their altitudes downwards so as to not fly straight off into “outer space!” If the Earth were truly a sphere 25,000 miles circumference curveting 8 inches per mile squared, a pilot wishing to simply maintain their altitude at a typical cruising speed of 500 mph, would have to constantly dip their nose downwards and descend 2,777 feet (over half a mile) every minute! Otherwise, …