In article ,
Joe Hunt writes:
Surely when talking of relatively short distances, the effects of the
Earth's curvature are minimal ?

But if the Earth was flat, you'd be able to see cloud tops at an
unlimited distance away. So in this instance, the effect of the
curvature is highly significant.
--
John Hall "[It was] so steep that at intervals the street broke into steps,
like a person breaking into giggles or hiccups, and then resumed
its sober climb, until it had another fit of steps."
Ursula K Le Guin "The Beginning Place"