plane sailing

American  

noun

Navigation.

1. sailing on a course plotted without reference to the curvature of the earth.

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plane sailing British  

noun

1. nautical navigation without reference to the earth's curvature Compare plain sailing

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Etymology

Origin of plane sailing

First recorded in 1690–1700

Example Sentences

It is rather a bore being kept in London, of course, away from you and the chicks"—this came as an afterthought—"but I hope you will find it plane sailing.

From Troublesome Comforts A Story for Children by Glasgow, Geraldine

V. "All is not plane sailing yet for the German in search of foreign markets."

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 158, June 2, 1920 by Various

Of course, it won't be altogether plane sailing.

From John Marsh's Millions by Hornblow, Arthur

It was in great use among the French navigators, from its solving the problems of plane sailing.

From The Sailor's Word-Book An Alphabetical Digest of Nautical Terms, including Some More Especially Military and Scientific, but Useful to Seamen; as well as Archaisms of Early Voyagers, etc. by Belcher, Edward, Sir