Diver IMO in most cases electricians do not need to get that deep into it.
For one thing as far as the NEC is concerned you can have as much voltage drop as you want to live with. (Other than fire pumps)
If I was working this problem I would figure each section separately and simply look at the total result.
Connecting copper to aluminum is no problem with the correct connector and No-Ox is optional.
Bob
[This message has been edited by iwire (edited 09-22-2005).]
