"99% of the population has no idea why."
Jay, I submit this is generally true.
;^)
H.

"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
news:VJrAb.441007$HS4.3464811@attbi_s01...
Perhaps the pilots are flying VOR to VOR
and that bend is where the local VOR is?

Iowa City was on the original transcontinental air mail route. When they
switched from light beacons to radio beacons, Iowa City received a VOR.

(In the 1920s and 30s, Iowa City has a 500,000,000 candlepower beacon!
That's half a BILLION candlepower -- it was reported in the newspapers
that
area farmers were able to work at night, by the light of the beacon!)

These routes evolved into the airways airlines (and many IFR pilots) still
use today.

On a clear day you can see dozens of airliners overhead, changing course
at
the VOR just south of town. 99% of the population has no idea why.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"