I need to know the shortest airplane route between chicago and london using a globe and a mercator map?

Check these sites.

http://gc.kls2.com/cgi-bin/gc?MAP-STYLE=&MARKER-STYLE=default&PATH=ORD-LHR&PATH-COLOR=red&PATH-MINIMUM=&PATH-STYLE=&PATH-UNITS=mi&RANGE=&RANGE-COLOR=navy&RANGE-STYLE=best&SPEED-GROUND=&SPEED-UNITS=kts

http://mathforum.org/library/drmath/view/52318.html

To determine the shortest airplane route between Chicago and London using a globe and a Mercator map, you need to follow these steps:

1. Determine the coordinates of Chicago and London:
- Chicago's approximate coordinates are 41.8781° N latitude and 87.6298° W longitude.
- London's approximate coordinates are 51.5074° N latitude and 0.1278° W longitude.

2. Locate Chicago and London on the globe:
- Use the lines of latitude and longitude on the globe to find the corresponding positions for both cities.
- Place your fingers on the positions of Chicago and London on the globe.

3. Identify the shortest route directly on the globe:
- Visualize the great circle route, which is the shortest distance between two points on a sphere.
- Imagine a line passing through both Chicago and London, following the curve of the Earth's surface.

4. Transfer the route to the Mercator map:
- On a Mercator map, the lines of latitude and longitude appear as straight parallel and perpendicular lines, respectively.
- Focus on the area around Chicago and London on the map.
- Draw a line on the map that roughly matches the route you identified on the globe.
- Adjust the route considering that the Mercator projection distorts the size and shape of landmasses, causing the straight lines on the map to deviate slightly from the actual great circle route.

By following these steps and using the globe and Mercator map, you can get a general idea of the shortest airplane route between Chicago and London. However, for precise measurements and accurate navigation, it is recommended to consult modern navigation tools and flight planning resources that utilize advanced mathematical calculations and digital maps.