How much maths knowledge is actually needed in aviation
Posted by ThatGuyNamedDanny@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 30 comments
I’m not exactly that bad at maths at all but just wondering what is exactly needed for PPL (and ATPL too).
HazardousAttitudes@reddit
I think I took the sin of something once
Masterofnaan181@reddit
Haha, maths. Now that we've gotten that out of the way, go pick up "Mental Math for Pilots." If you plan on being anything more than a fair weather flyer, you need to be able to calculate things like climbs and descents while being PF. CRM is great, but train like you expect to operate SPRM.
SizzleFassizzle@reddit
For flying planes? No more than the absolute basics.
powerflexx@reddit
I mean, I would say it depends on if they are shooting for CFI
A CFI teaching another CFI may definitely need to know how to interpolate
Ninjaman_344@reddit
I feel you learn that skill through taking and practicing writtens though
IrishConnection97@reddit
It’s basic level (think GCSE/O-Level or equivalent) but for ATPLs you do have to use a lot of formulas in various subjects.
Those formulas may look intimidating at first but rinse and repeat through the question banks and you will get familiar with them pretty quickly.
ATPLs serve no purpose other than to piss you off. Remember that and don’t let them win with it 😂
ThatGuyNamedDanny@reddit (OP)
Haven’t actually fully finished my GCSEs yet (doing them literally these past few weeks) but I’m guessing doing Higher Maths and getting a decent grade to do an optional further maths means that I’m probably good… Also, I don’t see much problem with formulas so thanks for the advice!
IrishConnection97@reddit
I got a B in maths. Very happy with it because of how much I hate it but doing higher tier should be good.
Trust me though, these mass & balance formulas, GNAV, FPL, etc will definitely change you 😂
ThatGuyNamedDanny@reddit (OP)
I guess I’m pretty much sorted then with my predicted A/A* then… (Grade 8+ in the new grading system)
AWACS_Bandog@reddit
About the hardest is trig.
Beyond that its basic algebra, and the FAA has simplified all the calculus involved
ThatGuyNamedDanny@reddit (OP)
So just stuff like cosine/sine rule (and sin/cos/tan stuff)?
AWACS_Bandog@reddit
Yup
Guysmiley777@reddit
You need like 5th grade math skills to be a pilot but since you're using the word "maths" you will need a lot more than that to get into cadet programs. In yuroland it is common to use academic knowledge to weed out candidates because there are far more applicants than there are positions available.
ThatGuyNamedDanny@reddit (OP)
By academic knowledge, you mean a uni diploma of some sorts?
Guysmiley777@reddit
I mean you'll be evaluated on knowledge of things like higher level math and physics that you don't actually need as a pilot, but they use that to filter out the applicant pool to get the "best" candidates.
ozzies_35_cats@reddit
TIL the word “maths” irrationally angers me…
PLIKITYPLAK@reddit
*math
KW1908@reddit
Easy way to find the reciprocal heading 180 degrees is to add 200 then subtract 20 in your head.
phliar@reddit
Divide by 3. Add and subtract 180 (but we finesse that with the +2 -2 method).
rickmaz@reddit
Plus 2, minus 2 - to determine the heading for a 180 deg turn
powerflexx@reddit
If you plan on being an instructor down the line to build your hours, I’d expect to know some basic interpolation and performance ratio equations eventually otherwise basic math
BeenThereDoneThat65@reddit
More when you are starting out less when your an atp
landcruiser33@reddit
I’m absolute dog shit stupid with math and hate it and I’ve been at a legacy for almost ten years.
digital_dyslexia@reddit
You don't need to do any math if you can use the fidget spinner, which is exactly what I did during math class anyways
SnooCupcakes1591@reddit
2 plus 2 is 4, minus 1 that’s 3 quick maths
internetdog@reddit
Do you know the 3 times table and can you do basic numeracy? If so you'll be fine
Beaver_Sauce@reddit
If you have to ask...
MunitionGuyMike@reddit
If you can do basic algebra, you’ll be fine. That’s like the most you’ll use
pilotak214@reddit
It’s basic math. Addition subtraction multiplication and division. A few new formulas to learn and that’s about it. Every so often we have to use the quadratic formula😉
rFlyingTower@reddit
This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:
I’m not exactly that bad at maths at all but just wondering what is exactly needed for PPL (and ATPL too).
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