Question

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.   Find the ground distance from Charlie to the plane. Show how you know

Answer 1

Refer to the diagram shown below.

Let d =  the horizontal distance from Charlie to the plane.
By definition,
tan(32°) = 1694.8/d 
1694.8/d = 0.6249
d = 1694.8/0.6249 = 2712.2 ft

Answer:  2,712.2 ft