A note on time-optimal paths on perturbed spheroid (Q1711940)

The author considers Zermelo's problem of navigation on a spheroid in the presence of a space-dependent perturbation determined by a weak velocity vector field. The approach used here is purely geometric with the application of a Finsler metric of Randers type making use of the corresponding optimal control represented by a time-minimal ship's heading \(\phi (t)\). Further a preservation of the optimal control \(\phi (t)\) of the time-efficient trajectories in the presence and absence of acting perturbation. Such navigational treatment of the problem leads to some simple relations between the background Riemannian and the resulting Finsler geodesics, thought of the deformed Riemannian paths. In the end the author shows some connections with Clairaut's relation and a collision problem.